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The theory of Karma states that ultrafine material particles (Karma) are living beings. Such souls are impure due to the Further, the activities of life' involve the interac Karma particles. These interactions include the
associated with the souls of all association of Karma particles. tions between impure soul and following:
(a) The Karma particles of various types are attracted by the (impure) soul and the soul sets more Karma particles in its possession. This is known as influx and binding (Asrava and Bandha) of Karma.
(b) The soul voluntarily or involuntarily sheds certain Karma particles. This is known as sheddins (Nirjana) of Karma.
(c) The Karma particles in the possession of a soul of one kind or intensity can be transformed by the soul into Karma particles of another kind or intensity. We shall call this as the transformation of Karma particles.s
In addition to Karma particles, there is pseudo-Karma (Nokarma)* matter associated with impure souls. The pseudo: Karma include the body, food, medicine apparel, family and other environments. The impare soul has the sensation of pleasure or pain due to the association or Karma and pseudo-Karma. The feelings and emotions of various kinds initiate and guide the interactions between the soul and the Karma particles mentioned above. However, soul is the master of self and the master of Karma, especially in view of the kind of interaction of type (c).
For example, consider 3 students, Sheila, Ram and Padma, who have to take an examination. Suppose all three have the same type of Karma particles associated with their souls. However, Padma studies and prepares well for the examination, takes it with composure and ends up with a good grade. Thus Padma succeeds in transforming the unfavorable Karma particles in her possession. Ram and Sheila fail the examination. Ram sets upset and angry. He blames his Karma and pseudo-Karma (teacher, books, the system, weather, etc.) for his failure. He feels miserable and accumulates more undesirable Karma particles. Sheila takes her failure in stride and makes a determination to study regularly in the future. Obviously, she accumulates particles which are of different kind from those. obtained by Ram.
It should be remarked that it is only the impure souls which experience pleasure and pain throush their bodies, Further, each individual soul is independent. The pseudo-Karmas such as a teacher, a visit to the temple, going to a movie or a health spa, may or may not give rise to the feelings and emotions of one kind or another. Thus the same pseudo-Karma may result in the influx of Karmas of different types and intensities in different individuals. This can be compared to a chemical reaction which proceeds differently and, in certain cases, results in - 536 --
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