Jain Philosophy

[happygod13]

Jai Jinendra (A Jaina way of Greeting)


There are lots of misunderstandings about Jainism because most of the people are not aware about the depth of Jain philosophy.

1. Jainism is not a part of Hinduism but it is a Bhartiya Dharma.

2. Jainism didn't start from Lord Mahavir. Lord Mahavir was the last celebrity of this religion of this era on this planet.

3. Jainism doesn't believe God as a creator, governer or destroyer. God is supreme stage of soul. Infinite souls have reached that stage hence there are infinite Gods.

4. Living and non-living are two basic elements of universe. Soul is living and matter, space, time, medium of motion and medium of station are Non-Living.

5.Basic elements in the universe were never created. They are constant- They do not increase or decrease in number. Their forms keep on changing which is known as creation or destruction.

So Friends let us discuss this great religion and understand life and its worth in its light.

 

[Devotee]

hi,

hey ive studied Jainism before and i must say it is an interesting religion. but the ascetics were a bit too much for me. and the other thing is that i never completely understood their philosophy of Karma. its very different from other philosophies. so, if you could, please explain the Jain Philosophy of Karma so that we all may become more educated in the subject!

thank you!

 

[happygod13]

Karma is a process where by an action (karma) produces its reaction (phala).

karmic matter is meant those molecules which are attracted and glued to the spirit owing to a particular actions of the spirit, associated with the spirit to form the Karmic body(karma sharir) and on the maturity of a particular time, producing some specific experiences in the form of their results, dissociate from the spirit. These are called matter karma. In brief the concept of karma in Jaina Philosophy is concerned with the molecules that affect and blunt the power of the spirit. As the creature engages in any type of mental, speech or bodily acts, karma-oriented matter atoms rush towards him from all sides.

Through the attachment and hatred oriented activities of the soul, infinite subtle fine particles existing in the space rush magnetically to it and get associated to the soul and they are called karmas.

 

[happygod13]

There are two stages of God termed as Arihanta and Sidhha.

All living beings bind eight type of Karma. Beings are free to bind karma. But after bondage the karma particles show result according to their nature.

A) Mohniya Karma : Wisdom and Character adulterating Karma. It is the captain of all Karmas:
1. Krodh (Anger)
2. Maan (inferiority or superiority complex)
3. Maya (Deceit)
4. Lobh (Greed)
5. Ved (Sexual attraction straight or bisexual)
6. Bhaya (Fear)
7. Shoka (Grief)
8. Jugupsa (hatred)
9. Rati (craving for materialistic pleasure)
10. Arati (aversion for spiritual pleasure)
11. Hasya (laugh at)
B) Gyanavarniya Karma : knowledge obscuring karma. This karma is responsible for diversity in knowledge seen among living beings.
C) Darshanavarniya Karma : perception obscuring karma
D) Antaraya Karma : Potential Obscuring karma.

E) Naam Karma : Karma which forms whole body and also is medium of speech, though and actions. It also leads to adverse and comfort situations.
F) Gotra Karma : It leads to superior or inferior family, status, fame, strength etc.
G) Ayushya Karma : It regulates the life span of living beings.
H) Vedniya Karma : It is medium of experiencing happiness and sorrow in life.

Arihant destroys the ABCD Karmas. When Mohniya is destroyed the root cause of karma bondage is destroyed hence now there is no delusion or obstruction left.

EFGH karma left are destroyed with the completion of Arihant's life span in body. And he becomes Sidhha - bodiless God. God's ABCD Karma are destroyed hence they are omniscient, omni-potent etc.

 

[anupj]

you have opened a nice thread... keep enlightening us with your knowledge