Jain Journal 2007 04

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

Page 10

Subhash Chand Jain: A Logical Perspective of karma Doctrine
consequences of karma are termed as karma phala. There is a time lag between karya phala and karma phala.
Karma System
The karma system, which is based on several postulates discussed in the next section, can be briefly summarized as follows. The cosmos is packed with karmic particles that are much finer than the body cells of living beings. The karmic particles easily penetrate the body cells wherein they come in association with the soul and transform into karma that are of eight fundamental kinds, as described later. Karma remains in association with the soul for a duration. At the end of the duration karma executes its consequences, dissociate itself with the soul, and transforms back into karmic particles. The number of karmic particles captured by the body cells at any instant, which then come in association with the soul, depends on the intensity of yoga. The kind of karma is determined by the type of yoga. The influx of karmic particles is konwn as asrava. The duration of association of karma with the soul and the intensity with which karma manifests on activation depend on passions (kaşaya). The bondage of karma is known as bandha. As long as karma remains associated with the soul, the soul incarnates. When the association of the soul with karma ends, the ātmā (soul) becomes paramātmā (Supreme Being). The only way to end the association of karma with the soul is to stop the acquisition of new karma, referred to as samvara and to dissolve swiftly the accumulated karma, called nirjara. Samvara and nirjara can be achieved by controlling one's passions by meditation (dhyana), restraint (samyama), and austerities (tapas).
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Karma can be considered as an interactive karmic field that deeds create inside and around living beings. Karma is governed by eternal and universal laws that cannot be tinkered even by Paramātmā. There is an innate moral order to the cosmos, which is self-regulating through the workings of the karma system. The deeds of living beings influence this karmic field and in turn this field influences living beings. Each deed of living beings instantly and automatically "updates" the karmic