Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 95

(92) 5.
: Pristine Jainism Ayuşya Karma: It is responsible for length of life of all life forms. Nāma Karma: Good or bad body and physique is dependent on it. Gotra Karma: It provides good high or low status in social hierarchy. Antarāya Karma: It inhibits the various endowments, availability of articles or means of pleasures etc.
8.
Karma Siddhānta is very important postulate in Jainism. There are voluminous treatises by eminent saints explaining every detail and intricacy, prescribing conduct and deeds good or bad responsible for the influx of a particular karma and its intensity and means of getting rid of all karmic burden to achieve salvation, the ultimate. Jainism clearly postulates that none else except one's own self is responsible for karmic influx, its intensity. None other however high and powerful even Arhats and Tīrtharkaras, the saints or gods and goddesses can remove, lessen or increase the impact of any one's karmas. But any person himself by prescribed conduct and effort can reduce or enhance the intensity of karma. Thus begging material gains, pleasure or other benefits from any is forbidden in Jainism. The object of worship of Arhats is only to recollect their preachings, which show the true path of getting rid off karmas and attaining salvation.
The postulates of karma-siddhānta are very deep. It needs research for its validity on scientific scrutiny. Modern science has instruments to study the shape, size and activity even at sub-atomic level. If it is possible to study the sub-atomic karmic matter scientifically, it will bring a revolution and put Jainism on sound scientific foundation. Instead of sundry research, Jaina scholars of science discipline should exert for scientific scrutiny of Jaina postulates. In the background of cross breeding, genetic engineering and cloning there is of course a question mark on postulates regarding Nāma-karma, responsible for good or bad body and