Jaina Culture

Author(s): Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi

Page 83

JAINA CULTURE
no question of the 'first association' arises. Besides, the self gathers new karmic matter every moment. The emancipation of the soul from karma is possible in two ways: the influx of new karmic particles must be stopped and the accumulated karmic matter must be eliminated.
The material particles that take the form of karma can be viewed from four angles: according to their nature, duration, intensity and quantity. The nature and quantity of karmic matter depend upon the activities of the body, mind and speech. The duration and intensity of karmic fruition depend upon passions.
Nature :
According to the Jaina doctrine, karma is classified into eight fundamental types: comprehension-obscuring (jñānāvarana) karma, apprehension-obscuring (darśaņāvaraņa) karma, feeling-producing (vedaniya ) karma, deluding (mohaniya) karma, age-determining (āyus ) karma, physique-making ( naman ) karma, status-determining (gotra ) karma and power-obscuring ( antarāya ) karma. Our worldly existence is dependent on these eight types of karma. The karma that obstructs the faculty of comprehension is known as comprehension-obscuring . karma. The karma that obstructs the faculty of apprehension is called apprehension-obscuring karma. The karma which produces pleasure and pain is called feeling-producing karma. The karma that obscures right belief and right conduct is known as deluding karma. The karma that determines length of life is called agedetermining karma. The karma which forms the body is called physique-making karma. The karma which destines a position in society is known as status-determining karma. The karma that impedes the infinite energy of the self is called power-obscuring karma.
Of these eight types, four, viz., comprehension-obscuring karma, apprehension-obscuring karma, deluding karma and