Jaina Psychology

Author(s): Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar

Page 40

KARMA: THE BASIS OF JAINA PSYCHOLOGY
23
Regarding that of sinful karmas, the intensity of fruition varies in accordance with the length of duration. The more sinful a person is, the duration of his sinful karma is longer and the fruition thereof is stronger. With an increased purity the length of the duration as well as the intensity of the fruition of sinful karmas decreases, while only the intensity of virtuous karmas grows.1
QUANTITY OF KARMIC MATTER
The universal space is densely filled up with karmic particles. A particular soul attracts only those particles which are within its reach and not those lying outside, just as fire seizes only that inflammable material that is lying within its reach. There is constant influx of karmic matter into the soul which is always under the pressure of activity. To put it negatively, the influx of karmic particles is not stopped for a single moment until and unless the self is entirely free from all activity. The quantity of the karmic matter acquired by the self depends upon its activity. The more the activity of the self the greater is the influx of karmic matter. The matter thus attracted by the self is divided into various types of karma. We have already recorded the fact that according to the traditional conception of the Jainas, the binding of karmic matter is of eight main types. The shares that fall to these types differ from one another. The age-determining type receives the smallest part. A greater portion goes to the physique-making type, and the same to the status-determining type. More than that falls to the comprehension-obscuring type. The shares of the same quantity fall to apprehension-obscuring and power-obscuring karmas. Still a greater portion goes to the deluding type. The greatest of all falls to the feeling-producing karma.? The share falling to a main type is further divided among the sub-types in varying degrees.
CAUSES OF BONDAGE AND LIBERATION
Although all the types are bound by our physical, mental, and vocal activities and passions in general, yet, every type has some
1 Karma-grantha, V, p. 51 2 Vigghāvarane mohe, savvovari veyaņīve jeņappe.
Tassa phudattarii havai, thiivisesera sesāņam. Ibid., 80.