Study in the Origins and Development of Jainism

Author(s): S N Shrivastava
Publisher: Rekha Publication Gorakhpur

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A Study in the Origins and Development of Jainism
As is clear from the above discussion that the kriyāvāda is the doctrine of action which envisages that deed is the prime-mover of life in this universe. The basic premise of the kriyāvāda, as upheld in Jainism, is the retribution of karma and the emancipation from the bondage arising out of it.
In the Jain view the world or saṁsāra is a process of transformation of 'living' (jiva) through the interaction of non-living (ajiva) the two ultimate entities (dravyas) without beginning and end. The contact between jīva and ajiva is caused by the deeds done mentally, vocally or physically by the being. Thus, the deed is the determining factor of the process of transformation of the living. In this unending process of transformation, death is only the prelude to renewed life. The termination of this process is possible only by recoursing to restraint from deeds of anykind, mental, vocal or physical, (sarivara) and subjecting oneself to severe austerity (nirjarā). Bondage is thus eliminated and mukti or emancipation is achieved.
A critical review of the Jain kriyāvāda reveals certain glaring facts which have greatbearing on the problem of the origin of the doctrine of karma and transmigration. The first point to be noted in this context is that the doctrine of kriyāvāda is mentioned in the earliest Jain texts such as the Sūtrakritānga, Āchărānga, Sthânănga etc. The angas are oldest texts of the Jain canonical literature. As is indicated by the Jain tradition, they were compiled in the council of Pataliputra held in the fourth century B. C. But it should be kept in mind that the contents of the anga texts were preserved orally as the original teachings of Mahāvīra from his very time. The angas were orally preserved is indicated by the evidence of the Jain texts that the celebrated Jain monk Bhadrabahu was master of all the twelve angas and Sthūlabhadra was having the knowledge of eleven angas at the time of Pataliputra council. This fact is very important from the point of view that the kriyāvāda is an original tenet of Jainism