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might keep it down. It then necessarily rises up. The upward movement of the soul is analogous to the upward movement of the flame of the fire.
The Jainas point out that in the circular motion of the planets, there is an attention of going up and coming down but in regard to the soul which have reached Alokākāśa, there is no question of return.
The Jaina philosophers, as said above, describe fourteen spiritual stages named guṇasthāna on their way to absolute perfection. These stages determine the progressive perfection in spiritual attainment. These stages have to be appreciated carefully if perfection is to be realized. The Jaina philosophers point out that a mere activity of the mind, body or speech has in itself no moral significance and does not deserve to be called karma. It is pointed out that the activity which is influenced by or actuated by falsity (mithyātva), Avirati, Kaşāya and yoga is of the nature of karma. When these basic factors, namely mithyātva are not at the root of a particular action, the action does not deserve to be called karma in the technical sense. The peculiar activity which is dominated by mithyātva etc. attracts pudgala karma or material particles into the soul. This action becomes moral action resulting in birth in different forms of bodies and in different experiences. According to the Jainas, mokṣa or liberation from karma can be realized through three jewels ( Ratna ) recognized by them, namely, right knowledge, right vision and right conduct. These virtues or qualities represent the intrinsic or the essential qualities of Atmā. The cultivation of these virtues is needed for the ultimate good of the soul. The Jaina philosophers look upon parispanda also as karma and it is for this reason, the material particles attached to the soul are also placed under the category of karma. Hence karma is of two kinds (1) Abstract (Amúrta), (2) Concrete (Murta).
In the culture of Triratna referred to above, ineditation and Japa are helpful. Due to continued practice of meditation, desire, aversion, and error (Rága, Dveșa and Moha) disappear.
