Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

Page 75

Knowledge is a proper grasp of the nine 'real entities'; and Right Conduct is the ethical code, behaviour and actions taught by the Jinas to liberate the soul from the karmic bondage.
Karma
Jainism describes karma as subtle matter, not perceptible to the senses, found everywhere in the cosmos and having the property of penetrating the soul and clouding its characteristics. The soul's activities cause vibrations in its structure, cause karmic particles to be attracted (influx) to it. If there is karmic matter around the soul, these particles will stick to it, but if it is absent as in liberated souls it will not stick. Benevolent acts cause good karma (merit), while sinful acts cause bad karma (demerit). Both merit and demerit keep the soul in the worldly cycle, they do not cancel each other out.
The quantity, the size, the type and the density of karmic particles determine the severity of karmic bondage and form in which the soul will transmigrate to the forthcoming life with its inherent passions. The external environments affect these passions, increasing or decreasing their severity and results. The Right Conduct can influence the karmic result and reduce its effects. On maturity karmic particles attached to the soul give results and shed, but one's activities cause inflow of new karma; and replenishment generated keeps the soul in bondage.
God
Jainism does not recognise an Almighty God or a Supreme Being as creator as God, but believes in godhood that can be attained by any one by following the teachings of the Jina; shed karma and liberate the soul. Jains worship tirthankaras as Gods, as examples to follow.
Temples & Worship
Jains have built thousands of beautiful temples in India; in Britain beautiful temples in Leicester and Potters Bar and about fifty temples in USA. Most of the Jain homes have a small shrine; their daily worship is usually individual; but on special days they may worship in congregation.
Holy Days
Jain observe many sacred days, the main among them are Paryushana (sacred days of fasting and forgiveness), Mahavira Jayanti (Mahavira's birth day) and Diwali (Mahavira's death anniversary). Their festivals are spiritual in nature aimed to shed karma and progress on the path of purification.
Jains observe, Paryusana, an annual period of atonement and repentance for trespassing Jina's teachings in the previous year, and of austerities to help shed accumulated karma and take positive steps to save the lives of voiceless creatures; of showing amity to fellow Jains, of
75