Religion and Culture of the Jains

Author(s): Jyoti Prasad Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 65

THE DOCTRINE
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This idea of karman is not unknown to other religious or philosophical systems, but in no Brāhmaṇical or Buddhist work has the term been so extensively used, nor in the same peculiar and specific sense, as in the Jaina philosophy. A western scholar has observed that “The Jaina idea of karman; is an animating element of dialectical edification that western philosophy does not possess, or possesses only as a notion. We find in it the form of a transcendental causality that inserts itself into human events, to the point of a absolute immanence. What western philosophy has called the 'since of history' may be considered an example of the idea of karman, today this idea must be sustained by the forces of a rationalism that pervades the entire domain of human culture.” Seven Essentials (Tattvas)
The Jaina philosopher always keeps in mind the fact of existence, at the same time he never loses sight of the goal. It is why jīva (soul), ajīva (matter), ásrava (influx of karmic matter into the soul), bandha (karmic bondage), samvara (stoppage of the influx), nirjarā (partial dissociation of karmic matter from the soul), and mokṣa (complete liberation of the soul from karmic bondage) are described as the seven tattvas or essentials, an intelligent and profound faith in which is the first condition for launching upon the path of liberation. In this list, the soul is the principal for the benefit of which all religion and philosophy have been evolved. It is the soul that needs and seeks salvation. Matter is the basis of all worldly existence, keeps the soul in bondage and prevents it from obtaining salvation. When owing to the impact of matter, the mental, vocal or bodily activities of the embodied soul-cause vibrations which attract karmic matter, influx of karman takes place. Since these vibrations are usually tinged with emotions, passions, etc., the inflowing karmic matter becomes bound with the soul, its intensity and duration depending upon the nature of the passional state of the soul at the time.