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Śvetāmbara Scholars on Kundakunda: An Appraisal :
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self is found in association with matter (pudgala karma) since beginningless time (anādi), as a result of which the neurophysiological processes act as the indirect, extrinsic, subsidiary or auxiliary cause (nimitta kāraṇa) of the changes or modifications in the conscious states, such as attachment, aversion, delusion, etc., Samayasāra, 80) and that Kundakunda discusses in detail the interaction between self and material or physical karma, including body, and offers a convincing and fruitful approach to solve the intricate problem of mind-body interaction;" and (d) Dhaky has no clear perception or understanding in regard to Kundakunda's concept of self; Kundakunda specifically mentions that the self is kartā and bhoktā among the characteristics of self enumerated in Pañcāstikāya, verse 27.
3. Dhaky further states that: The unliberated self in Kundakunda's concept... is always pure and not contaminated by karmaraja (material karmic dust) as was otherwise believed till late, even in the Digamabara sect. The apparent contamination with karma and its consequent and subsequent fruition are due to bhāva or inner consciously felt or willed emotional directives of the self. It is thus illusory.
The self goes on wandering from birth to birth because he has not known what it really is and this is what keeps it in apparent bondage.'
This unjustified criticism is again based on Dhaky's misrepresentation of Kundakunda's views about the self, and his failure to recognize Kundakunda's significant contribution in regard to mindbody interaction or the interaction between mental states and the material (dravya or pudgala) karman, which are mutually related as cause and effect, each of the other (Samayasāra, 80). In Pañcâstikāya, (verse 27), Kundakunda categorically states that the self is karmasamyukta, i.e. associated with material karma since the beginningless time and hence not pure. As already stated, in Samayasāra too, Kundakunda specifically states that the self (jiva) is located in pudgala (material) karma. In view of these clear-cut statements, Kundakunda
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