YJA Convention 2000 07 LA Fourth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

Page 19

the sessions
Karmic result Wholesome
ACTION vs. INTENTION
presented by the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago, pathshala level IV
Unsholesome
Karma Types 1.) Wholesome karma related to
wholesome activities 2.) Wholesome karma related to
unwholesome activities Unwholesome karma related to
wholesome activities 4.) Unwholesome karma related to
unwholesome activities
Wholesome
Unwholesome
Which deed attracts more karma, the physical action (dravya) or the intention (bhava)? How are intentions judged for intending to do wrong, versus accidentally doing something wrong? . Do my actions matter if I'm not cognizant of any intentions I may have?
We can do good deeds and feel like a saint, or do bad deeds and feel like a sinner. But when we do such deeds, actually how good or bad ARE they? This parley will delve into the nature of action vs. intention, or deeds vs. desire. This is a discussion forum on Punya, Paapa, and their interplay.
1. Punyanubandhi Punya (Wholesome karma related to wholesome activities). All wholesome karma gives a soul a means of happiness on their fruition. But some wholesome karma is such as would not wean an individual away from cherishing the right faith and performing good actions. One does not indulge in sensual pleasures, but rather devotes wealth in religious and philanthropic activities, and is humble. And as they are related to wholesome activities, these karmas cause the bondage of wholesome karma. In this way, the wholesome karma of this type makes man's life happy and wholesome. The term "punyanubandhi punya" means that wholesome karma which is related to religious practice and good activities lead to a good next birth.
. From time beginningless, the soul has been transmigrating from one physical body to the next until it is finally liberated and rests forever in Nirvana. Our physical body enjoys or suffers the fruits of our actions either during the same life or for many lives to come. Generally our wholesome activities result in Punya and unwholesome activities result in Paapa, thereby resulting in the bondage of either kind of karma particles to the soul. The resultant bondage depends upon not only the given action but also the intentions behind that action. The bondage of karma particles resulting from Punya or Paapa may lead to more Punya or Paapa. Also the tightness of bondage depends heavily upon the intentions and emotions.
2. Paapanubandhi Punya (Wholesome karma related to unwholesome activities). The opposite of the above, "paapanubandhi punya", means that man indulges in sensual pleasures, and is not humble or religious even with wholesome punya. The material wealth gives him worldly happiness, yet he is not using it for the proper causes. Such unwholesome activities will cause him a low next birth.
In the world, we find two types of human beings, some virtuous and others vicious. Again each of these types has two sub types, happy and unhappy. Thus, in all there are four types
3. Punyanubandhi Paapa (Unwholesome karma related to wholesome activities). Unwholesome karma put the soul in miserable conditions. It cannot be happy. But some unwholesome karma will not shake a soul's faith in religion, and even in face of danger, a person with such karma will help his fellow man. Unwholesome karma of this type is "punyanubandhi paapa" because it is related to wholesome activities. They do not degrade a soul's worldly life and they will lead to a good birth.
FOUR TYPES Happy Unhappy
Virtuous
Vicious Virtuous, Happy Vicious, Happy Virtuous, Unhappy | Vicious, Unhappy
It is clear that the differences of wholesome as well as unwholesome karmas cause these different human conditions. And keeping in view the four types of human beings, Jain thinkers generally point out that each of the two types of karma, the wholesome and unwholesome, has two sub-types.
4. Paapanubandhi Paapa (Unwholesome karma related to unwholesome activities). The opposite of the above, "paapanubandhi paapa," means that man indulges in sensual pleasures, yet he is deprived of happiness. On account of the fruition of this karma, he will suffer from misery, but will still engage in vicious activities. These karma lead to a low next
birth.
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