Jaina Karmaology

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 42

Jaina Karmology The T.S. has about 17% aphorisms and 12% of contents of Akalanka's commentary on Karmaology besides about 50% contents on physical phenomena. They represent the traditionally authentic views on Karma theory supported by logic and polyviewism in the commentary. On consideration of our current knowledge of many branches of science, medicine and psychology, it seems that on the one hand, Karma theory has widened its scope from individual to groups, nation and even globe and there is increase in karmic destruction-cumsubsidence in this age on all fronts, on the other, it has been reduced to be one of the latent factors for guiding or improving life rather than the sole factor as was postulated in ancient days. This is also supported by the fact that many of the issues could now be better explained and solved on the basis of current scientific knowledge which were taken to be only karmic effects in earlier days. This current view relieves men from the load of the past and stress of the future and spares sufficient energy for better life. In view of all this, it now seems that with the advent of relativity theory and principle of indeterminacy, the traditional karma theory has gone more of historical concern. However, this theory, how-soever secondary now, will always have a good hold on human psychology to catalyse improving his moral life.