Book Title: Jain Studies and Science
Author(s): Mahaveer Raj Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Page 59
________________ NEW THOUGHTS / 55 This is a change in the intensity of the bond. As a result of a negative current, a loose bond of negative type changes into an intense bond, and similarly on account of a positive/wholesome transformational current, an intense negative bond weakens substantially. For instance, a person is experiencing pleasure and at such a moment the influx of negative karma will transform it into an experience of pain. The process of transformation has a few exceptions too. For example, the four UTTAR types of lifespan determining' (Ayushya) karma do not transform into one another. Similarly, the two main types of moh (deluding) karma - darshan moh (perception) and charitra moh(conduct) - do not transform into each other. Barring such few exceptions, the transformation of different karma categories is a necessary concept which upholds the importance of human dexterity (purushartha). 6. Personality Transformation Through Close-Loop Mechanism Similar to the dilemma of relationship between the soul and the karmic body, another perplexing question of interaction between the macro and micro bodies, specifically, the sthula sharir and shukshma karmic sharir has been very ingeniously answered by Mahapragya. Various methods prescribed in Jain literature for the refinement of the soul like fasting, meditation and prayer, all are conducted at the level of macro-body but their effect is manifested in the form of weakening of karma bonds of microbody. The good or bad actions of body are fed back as the deta accumulation of karma, and they, in turn, ultimately refine or confine our soul. This link forms the true essence of Jainism. • Elaborating the close-loop mechanism between the macro and microbodies, Mahapragya cites a stanza from Acharang Sutra, which broadly means, “Ascetic should vibrate his karmic-body by the prayer”. For a spiritual seeker, the statement is a gold-mine of salvation. This states that the activities at macro body level are fed-back to the shukshma sharira. Similar references are found regarding the effect of karmic sharira on the well-being and overall state of the sthula sharira. This incessant to and fro transaction of activities completes a close-loop which ensures that if good activities and thoughts are pursued, they get reinforced within this closeloop. Thus, a healthy cycle is formed. Contrarily, the bad activities may generate bad vibrations and when fed-back to the karmic body may further result in dire consequences. A vicious circle is thus said to be complete. Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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