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JAIN MATHEMATICS AND KARMAVAD/155
1.1. Definition of Karma
Different philosophies have their own definition of what karma is? However two broad definitions emerge -
Mimansak sect, Gita, Yoga & Vedant, they all associate various daily conduct and activities to the Karma. For them it is an abstract term.
2.
In Jain Siddhant Dipika, the definition is
34 :
EPERIRITTU YGST :
(4/1)
This means that the karmas are micro physical bodies (quadon pudgals) which are formed by the righteous and/or unrighteous activities of the bios. Author has coined a new word ‘Karmasomes' to distinguish between the physical and abstract forms. In Greek, soma means body, therefore the newly christened word, 'Karmasomes' is meant to represent the karmic body. Its justification will be further obvious as we read about chromosomes in the section dealing with genetics. Karmasomes' are formed by quadons (chatu-sparshi pudgals) which are massless and they exhibit affinity towards the soul. This affinity binds the Karmasomes' with the soul. Soul and karma thus form a single entity for all practical purposes and they stay together during all cycles of births and re-births. The aim of a spiritually bent person is to unshackle the pure soul out of the attachment of karma. Mahapragya has quoted from the ancient literatures that the karma pudgals (quadons) are so fine that they cannot be detected by any direct means. But indirect evidences obtained by the science for the electrons and photons make us hopeful that one day a direct cause-andeffect relationship could be established between the actions of bios and the formation of karmic micro bodies. Thus in Jain philosophy, Karma is not an abstract; it is a real, physical entity.
1.2. Psychology
Medical practitioners have only recently being able to answer an age old enigma -- the human behaviour is acquired by birth or can be moulded by oneself? Initially, Aristotle and Plato, and later on John Lock and David Hume argued that the psychology is built up on experiences. While biologists Jean Jacks, Russo and Kent believed that the human psychology as written in the genes is unalterable. Freud stated that the human personality and behaviour is a total sum of parents, dreams, laughter and sexual activities. Franc Boise gave the similar statement, “Fate and surroundings are responsible factors."
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