Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

Author(s): Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai

Page 11

Preface
What should be the objective of human life? It is a moot question. For ages, sages and others have ponder over this question and it would have agitated the minds of almost ali human beings at sometime or the other and will continue to do in future as well.
Jain Philosophy avers that the only objective of human life should be to understand oneself, our own soul. The ultimate aim of such an understanding is to attain liberation from the unending cycle of births and deaths. Soul's present mundane existence is disgusting and replete with sorrows and sufferings. The solution lies in elevating oneself to the highest spiritual perfection, i.e., Moksha. The mundane life is an interplay of two types of karma - subjective and objective. Subtle karma particles constitute the objective type and are attracted by soul and hold as bondage when the soul is afflicted by perversions, i.e., subjective karmas, such as attachment, anger, aversion, lust, greet, etc. The process of fruition, shedding and bondage of karmas goes on ad infinitum. Spiritual awakening facilitates overthrowing of the enthraldom of karma, purification of soul and achieving the ultimate goal of Moksha.
Acharya Kundakunda was the Doyen of Jain Philosophy and his scriptures are indispensable for anybody who wants to understand the true nature of Jain teachings. While the works of other Acharyas are considered as Pearls, it was Acharya Kundakunda who made pearls studded magnificent garland putting different works of Acharyas together for attaining the ultimate goal of Moksha. Although the works of Acharya Kundakunda are very old, general interest has been shown and awareness created only recently. Modern communication gadgets help to spread Acharya Kundakunda's ideology across the globe. However, it is difficult to find his complete works in simple English. Hence an attempt has been made here to put majority of his ideology in one place, in simplest and shortest possible manner, and also put in proper perspective his historical importance, his life, works and the philosophy and the path of Moksha enunciated by him. Most of his ideas need further elaboration to have better understanding. It is said that Acharya Kundakunda was like "kundan" which means very fine and pure gold or purified and glittering gold. Indeed, he was a purified and glittering soul and if one understands his works, he is also likely to become the same. This is not an exaggerated statement and the readers would