Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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four aghati karmas in addition to the already eliminated four ghati karmas.
The duration of karmic bondage is determined by the quality and intensity of our passions at the time of their enactment. If our desires were mild, the duration of the bondage would be for a shorter period than otherwise. The intensity (ras bandh) could be loose, tight, tighter or tightest. The impact of karmas may not be necessarily felt immerdiately in the same life, but may spread over the ongoing life cycle depending upon the pace of 'nirjara' (extinguishment of accumulated karmas) through dedicated ef
fort.
SAMVAR-STOPPAGE OF KARMIC INFLUX
'Samvar' is the process that stops fresh karmas from attaching into the soul. It is a reverse process of 'asrava' It can be accomplished by right belief, observance of vows, passionlessness and peacefulness of activities. Jain scriptures enunciate 57 practical ways of stopping the influx of karmas. They are 5 Samitis (carefulness in walking, speaking, taking, keeping, giving and begging), 3 Guptis (control over thoughts, speech and body), 10 yati dharma (practicing virtues like forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, contentment, truthfulness, self-restraint, penance, renunciation, non-attachment and celibacy, 12 bhavanas (thoughts about impermanence of the world, no permanent relationships, solitude of the soul, impurity of the body, influx, stoppage and shedding of karmas, consistent and dedicated endeavour required to attain right faith, knowledge and conduct, and choosing the right preceptor, and religion; 22 Parishaha (facing sufferings like hunger, thirst, harsh words, diseases, cold, heat, insect bites etc. with patience and equanimity; and 5 Charitra (rational and right conduct, taking to ascetic life, practising penance and eliminating all passions (kashayas).
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A Portrait of Jain Religion