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KARMA
others and not proclaiming one's own, by an attitude of humility toward one's superiors, and finally by not being proud of one's own achievements or attainments.
The inflow of obstructive karma is caused by disturbing others in charity; by gain, and enjoyment and by misusing one's powers (cf. Tattvārthadhigama Sūtra VI 627).
Karma and reincarnation
When at death the soul departs from the body the information gathered during life in the form of karmas is carried in the karmic body," which together with the "fire" or rather electric body, accompanies the soul when it leaves the physical body The connection between these two bodies has always existed and always will exist - an absolute beginning is denied in Jainism – and every soul has these two invisible bodies. There is only modification during incarnation. These bodies do not leave the soul until complete liberation or nirvāna is reached, because then any karmas cease to adhere to the pure soul.
It is the karmic body which determines the nature of the next birth. The next birth takes place exceedingly rapidly according to Jainism, in “less than the winking of an eye." As soon as the soul is freed from the physical body it flies at incredible speed and in a straight line to the destination determined by its accompanying karma. This does not mean that the soul resumes a physical body at once. Depending on karma physical incarnation may take place quickly, or in the near or even very distant future. The jīva may than be reborn in the body of a human or any other living being, including both visible and invisible beings, trees, plants, and animals, depending on the ethical values - good or bad – practiced in the past.
It may seem strange to the reader that the soul of a former human being might be reborn in a plant body or any nonhuman creature. For example, due to its particular karmas a
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