Book Title: Jainism a Theistic Philosophy
Author(s): Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Page 254
________________ 238 JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM” opportunities to attain them, for they will come and place themselves in his way. The second law of nature concerns about mind: Mind is the creative power, and a man becomes that which he thinks. “Now verily man is thought formed; as a man thinketh in this world, so, having gone away hence, he becometh.”? Action is only thought thrown outward, objectified and a man's actions are only his past thoughts materialized. As Brahma created His world, so manas creates his vehicles and by the same means, thought character, the nature of man, is thought-crested; this is the first of the three factors of karma. So what the man essentially is in himself that is the outcome of his thinking. Third law of nature concern actions: Circumstances are made by actions. “Nothing can sprout forth without a seed. No one can obtain happiness without having accomplished acts capable of leading to happiness. If a man spread happiness around him, he will reap happiness hereafter. If he spreads misery, he will reap misery. Thus knowing the law, he can prepare for himself favorable or unfavorable circumstances, as he prepared a good or bad character, and pleasure giving or pain-giving objects. This is the third law, belonging to actions. These three laws cover the making of karma, for the jīvātman consist of will, wisdom and activity, and these show themselves in the world by desires, thoughts and actions. A view of karma that paralyses human efforts is a crude and mistaken one, and men should see in karma a guide and not a paralyser of action. °Bhagavadgītā, V-12 Chāndogya Upanisad, III. 14.1 Mahābhārata, 291.12 Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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