Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1997 11 YJA Regional Convention

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

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Therefore, it is necessary to exhaust all karmas before their maturity. Rigorous austerities and penance do this. This process is called nirjara. There are twelve types of nirjara defined in the Jain scriptures. They are divided into two groups; external nirjara which disciplines the human. body against passions and desires and internal nirjara which is the true austerities. nirjara exhausts the attached karma from soul.
The internal
External Nirjara:
Anasan
- Complete abstinence of eating and drinking
Alpahara
- Reduction in the quantity of food one normally eats Ichhanirodha
- Control of desire for food and material things
Rasatyaga
- Complete abstinence of eating or drinking juicy and tasty foods such as honey, alcohol, butter, milk, tea, sweets, juice etc. (no attachments to the taste of the foods)
Kayaklesa
Samlinata
-Control of passions by discipline
- Sitting in a lonely place in due postures with senses withdrawn
Internal Nirjara:
Prayaschita
Vinaya
- Repentance for the breach of vows
- Appropriate behavior towards a teacher and elders
Vaiyavrata
- Selfless service to the suffering and deserving
Svadhyaya
- Studying/listening of religious scriptures Bhutsarga
- Non-attachment to the body Subha-dhyana
- Religious meditation
9. Moksha:
Moksha is the liberation of the soul after complete exhaustion or elimination of all karmas.
A liberated soul regains totally its original attributes of perfect knowledge, vision, power, and bliss. It climbs to the top of Lokakas and remains their forever in its blissful and unconditional existence.
It never returns again into the cycles of birth, life, and death.
This state of the soul is the liberated or perfect state, and this is called "Nirvana."
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