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EXTREME ABSORPTION OF KARMONS
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time-sections, is: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) hhh hh hhm hmm mm mmm mmm mm mmh mhh hh hhh
We denote a full Jain Temporal Cycle by 1 j.t.c. We note the following points.
In Figure 6.3, the time goes around clockwise. The periods in each section are very large. One of the smaller units is sagarpomas, 1 sa garpomas=5X10-17 j.t.c. In this unit, as we have described before, the duration of various karmic components is measured. The timesections 5, 6, 7 and 8 are believed to be of 21,000 years each, others are vast but not infinite, and these are therefore represented by broken sector-lines. The time-sections and half cycles follow on from each other in a continuous and smooth manner. At the present time, we are 2400 years into time-section 5 of the regressive half-cycle.
It is believed that only during time-sections (3, 4) or (7,8) can one possibly be a Tirthankara/perfect being. All the twenty four Tirthankaras of the present half-cycle (regressive) were born during the third (hhm) and fourth (hmm) sections. These combinations of h and m are necessary and sufficent to pursue the course of selfrealization. We are now 2,400 years into the fifth time-section of 21,000 years so that it will be a long while before any more Tirthankaras/perfect beings emerge on this earth. However, spiritually higher persons can contact Tirthankara in other worlds as there is always one Tirthankara somewhere in the universe at any instant4.
Jambu, one of the third generation of the disciples of Mahavira, is assumed to be the last person in the present time cycle to reach moksa on earth, about 463 B.C. A verse of the scripture Kalpasutra (v. 146) describes when Mahavira instituted the fifth section; Jacobi (1884, p. 269) describes this verse as a 'rather dark passage for obviou reasons.
6.5. GLOSSARY
1.
Violence = Himsā) Non-violence) harmlessness= Ahimsa Premeditated violence=Saņkalpajā-hiņsā Accidental/ occupational violence=Ārambhajă-himsā Defensive violence= Virodhi-himsā
2.
Temporal Cycles (= Kāla) Progressive half-cycle=Utsarpiņi, Regressive half-cycle=Avasarpini
