Jain Journal 1981 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 33

The Jaina Concept of Karma
[from the previous issue]
J. C. SIKDAR The Buddhist view on the nature of Karma
As in Jaina metaphysics, so in the Buddhist philosophy also it has been accepted that the multifariousness of beings is caused by karma (action).28 Like the Jainas, the Buddhists also admit lobha (rāga) (greed, attachment), dveșa (aversion) and moha (delusion) as the cause of the production of karma (action). The being, having been associated with attachment, aversion and delusion, makes mental, vocal and bodily activities and generates attachment, hatred and delusion respectively. Thus the wheel of the world is moving on .29 There is no beginning time of this wheel ; it is beginningless.30 In reply to the question of king Milinda on the location of the existence of karma (action) Acarya Nagasena has explained that it cannot be shown where does karma (action) exist. 31 In the Visuddhimagga karma has been called arūpi : (noncorporeal), 32 but in the Abhidharmakoşa as avijñapti, i.e. karma has been described as rūpa (matter), 33 and this rūpa is apratigha (non-resisting or penetrable), but not sapratigha (resisting or impenetrable). In the Sautantrika view, samāveśa (inclusion) of karma is made in arūpa (nonmatter) ; it does not accept avijñapti (unmanifested matter). From this it is known that like the Jainas, the Buddhists also admit karma as subtle (sūkşma). Mental, vocal and physical activities also are called karma. But they are vijñaptirūpa (intimation like or perceptible). That is, here the meaning of karma is not only perceptible activity, but also is sarskāra (force) born of perceptible action. In the Buddhist definition it is called vāsanā and avijñapti. Samskāra-karma produced by mental activity is called vāsanā (desire) and samskāra-karma produced by vocal and physical activities is avijñapti (unmanifested matter).
If compared, it can be said that the causative attachment, aversion and delusion of karma of the Buddhists are bhāvakarma of the Jainas. The perceptible action of mind, speech and body is yoga (activity) of the
28 Milindapanho, 3.2; Abh, K., 4.1. 39 Anguttaranikaya, Tikanipata Sutra, 33.1; Bhaga. 1, p. 134. 30 Samyuttanikaya, 15.5.6 ; Bhaga. 2, 181-2. 31 na sakka maharaja tani kammani dassetum idha va idha iva tani kammani tit
thantiti, Milindapanho, 3, 15, p. 75.
Report of the Ninth Oriental Conference, p. 620. 33 Abhidharmakosa, K., 1.11.