Introduction to Jainism

Author(s): Rudi Jansma, Sneh Rani Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM
bodies. After that we may again take on a physical body in accordance with other karmas that have to bear fruit.
The inflow of karmas that lead to physical impediments is caused by allowing the workings of the mind, body or speech to be non-straightforward or deceitful, by wrangling, etc.
Good-body-making karma is due to the opposite of the above, and is attracted by anyone who is straightforward in body, mind and speech, who avoids disputes, etc., by those who have right belief, are humble and feel genuine admiration or respect for praiseworthy people etc.
The inflow of Tīrthamkara karma, the karma which leads one to become one of the rare Tīrthamkaras, is caused by meditation on the purity of right belief which is free from doubt, from worldly desire, from repulsion, from superstition, from a tendency to proclaim the faults of others, and such meditation which is directed toward helping oneself or others to remain steady on the path of truth, having tender affection for one's brothers on the path of liberation, and which is being used for propagation of the path of liberation. One should also have reverence for the means to liberation and for those who follow them, and faultlessly observe the five vows and subdue all passions. Right knowledge should be pursued ceaselessly. One should constantly be aware of mundane miseries, sacrifice for others according to one's capacity, practice austerities according to one's capacity, protect and reassure the saints or remove their troubles, serve the meritorious, show devotion to arhats or omniscient lords, to āchāryas or heads of the orders of saints, and to scriptures, and not neglecting one's daily duties.
The inflow of low-family-determining karma is caused by speaking ill of others, by praising oneself, concealing the good qualities of others, and by proclaiming in oneself good qualities which one does not have.
The inflow of high-family-determining karma is caused by the opposite of the above, namely by praising others, denouncing oneself, proclaiming the good qualities of