Jainism For Beginners Level 03

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 37

Pap & Punya are to be viewed in relative terms & they depend upon one's mental attitude in a given situation.
Punyanubandhi
Punya
respond in any way. He left the girl on the other bank & quietly proceeded with younger monk. On the way, younger monk rebuked him again & again for what he had done & warned him of the dire consequences when they confront Guru Maharaj. Elder monk maintained his silence while reproaches of his friend continue unabated. After listening for one hour elder monk pointed out that he left the girl one-hour back while younger monk was still holding her in his head.
It is evident that in this example that elder monk had no intention other than helping a girl to cross the river. While holding her hand or while carrying her on his back, he had no other thoughts. Therefore, he left her as soon as he reached the other bank. He even did not look at her beauty. For him, she was simply a person who was in need of help. He rendered it without any passionate thoughts throughout. younger monk's attitude on the other hand was totally different. Though he did not even touch the girl, he was thrilled by the imaginary sensation of close contact of a beautiful girl. In his heart he longed to have the feel of her touch. He did not actually do so simply because it was forbidden. In the spiritual sense he therefore, committed the sin of indulging in undesirable activity while elder monk earned the Punya of helping a person in need. Thus
Ooncepts of Punya & Pap are more
or less identical with most religions. The latter concept is however more subtly treated by Indian philosophies. They take into consideration not only the actual act but also the intention behind it. They are unanimous in adoring the meritorious intentions & activities & in condemning the sinful ones. As explained above, one may obtain material happiness & comforts as a result of wholesome Karmas, but then what? Material happiness does come to an end & comfortable situations do not last forever. & then one has to undergo miseries unless one has in the meantime earned other Punya Karmas. This earning of new Punya Karma while enjoying his fruits ofearlierones is known in Jain terminology as Punyanubandhi Punya, In summary, while enjoying the fruits of wholesome Karmas one acquires further wholesome Karmas.
Nav Tatva (Part - 1)
o Papanubandhi
Punya
hile enjoying the fruits of Punya or wholesome Karmas, one may