Book Title: Introduction to Jainism
Author(s): Rudi Jansma, Sneh Rani Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

View full book text
Previous | Next

Page 238
________________ 220 INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM intelligent agents or executors of karma on earth. We are talking about spiritual beings who were themselves humans in the distant or relatively recent past, and now work actively as protectors and for the wellbeing of humankind. However, they cannot and are not allowed to protect humanity or individuals against their own karma - the self-created results of their actions. Karma is a universal law, and as long as there are causes on a particular level of conscious existence, there are results as well. It cannot be otherwise. No god, tirthamkara or buddha can do anything about that. That is why the sages of all ages have always stimulated us to awaken spiritually and to live in harmony with life – jīva - on the basis of the wisdom thus acquired. The protecting bird who lives in the Jambūtree of spiritual accomplishments guards the profane eating from the fruits they can not yet endure. 7° But they can never "come down” to those on earth (until their next incarnation). Their love is of a very high and subtle nature without any personal attachment, and may be perceived only by the superconscious aspects within men and women on earth -- were real help and protection may be given. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the experiences of spiritism. "The fourteen stages or gunasthānas are: mithyādrishti sāsādana samyak-mithyātva samyak-drishti false doctrine, false world view. downfall correct-and-false-insightness, lack of insight. right insight or aviratasamyak-tva, vowless right belief partially stopped (by partial vows) completely-stopped (but by imperfect vows) deśa-virata sarva-virata Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256