Jain System in Nutshell

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Nij Gyan Sagar Shiksha Kosh Santa MP

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procreation states of the living ones. It could be stated that karmic density, DK is inversely proprtional to better and better degree of procreational states of hellish, celestial, subhuman and human destinity, Ds, or,
DK α 1/Ds
This leads to evolution of man through lower karmic density. Also, Jainism seems to be little ahead of Darwin's theory by postulating a mutation mechanism from higher to lower level of life. Of course, Jainas do not support gradual development of living species from lower to higher life. Moreover, the karmic force is more individually oriented in Jainism. This requires little deeper search for elaboration.
(d) Science of Spiritual or Ethical Development
Life means a three-fold activity- mental, vocal and physical (in comparision to two-fold of the psychologists-mental and motor). This is a varied mani-festation of the innate energy which is not fully manifested due to operation of energy- obstructing karma. This is caused by ten natural or acquired instincts in the living beings resulting in its diversity due to external factors like genetic, internal and external intake or chemicals, hormonal secretions, circumstances and environment and inner psychical factors 34. The large amount of diversity and intensity led Jainas to co-relate it with their theory of invisible 4-touch karmas as an additional important factor associated with past also. These factor-s influence the nature and behaviour regarding attachment, aversion, passions, emotions (due to conduct- deluding karma) and sensual feelings of pleasure and pain (due to feeling-producing karma). Mind is said to be highly strong but unsteady force basically instrumental in all these activities. In fact, Jainas have all instrumental causes in two forms-physical and psychical. Religion aims at sacred activities and behaviours for ultimate pleasures. It therefore teaches one to mould and control mind for better and better directions.
Besides mind as a force, Jainas also realised that Sound mind in a sound body'. The soundness of mind means steady and controlled mind. Hence they first adopted methods for making a sound body by emphasising environmental and dietary controls such as vegetarianism, non-eating of injury-involving foods and intoxication, limited eating and drinking under light, under-eating, 24/36 hour-fasting etc. A large number of their vows are meant for these practices. The food scientists have confirmed that food habits do control over secretions and promote inner non-violence, strength and ethical behaviours. This partial control leads one to practice internal and meditational austerities. It has been pointed out that higher mental control/ steadiness or improvement in volitional, emotional or thinking states is effected by karmic (i) subsidence (ii) destruction (iii) destruction-cum- subsidence and (iv)a mixed variety of