Association Disassociation of Karma

transcript

Arun Zaveriwww.ScientificMeditation.com

Phone: +91 22 2414-2989 Email: arunzaveri07@gmail.com

Paryushan Parva Lecture SeriesJain Center of Greater Boston

Norwood, Massachusetts, USASeptember 2-9, 2013

Influx (Asrava) - Stoppage (Samvar) - Falling off (Nirjara)

Vicious Cycle of Karma

Fruition of Karma Karmic Expression Primal Drives

Messages of Attachment Aversion

Subtle Taijjas Body– Link body

LesyaPsychic Colors

Electromagnetic FieldLimbic System

Neuro-Endocrine Mechanism

Activities:Mental Vocal Physical

Soul (Atma)

Karma body

Taijjas body

Physical Body

InstinctsPassions,

Quasi-Passions

Influx ofKarma Matter

Karmic influx and bondage

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Mental, vocal, and physical activities attract Karmic matter

Influx and Bondage of Karma

Bondage (Type, Duration, Intensity, and Quantity) depends upon the type and intensity of the expression of the instincts, emotions, passions, and feelings

1. Perverse Beliefs –

2. Non-abstinence –

3. Spiritual remissness –

Passion –

5. Activity –

Primary Causes of Influx of Karma –

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Cause 1: Perverse Beliefs -

False world view

Wrong beliefs – contrary to what theOmniscient has explained

Assuming social welfare as spiritual religion

False interpretation of spiritual religious practice for materialistic goals

Believing and practicing a vitiated form of religion

Cause 2: Non-abstinence -

Materialistic lifestyle without self-restraint and unaware of the spiritual aspects of Jain religion

Karmic influx continues due to lack of self-restraint even after having the right belief

Cause 3: Remissness (Negligence) -

Remissness of the spiritual objective allows karmic influx

It is essential to continuously remember the main objective of life

While doing worldly activities one should persistently remember the spiritual goal

Cause 4: Passions -

Fruition of conduct deluding karma generates strong destructive feelings of attraction and aversion, which produce four destructive passions

Anger Pride Deceit Greed

which are important causes of influx of karma

Cause 5: Activity -

Injury to life Falsehood Stealing Sexual activity Possession

Quarrel Abuse / false allegation Backbiting Speaking ill of others Deceit and untruthfulness

Mental, physical, and vocal activities with perverted beliefs and worldly activities attracts Karmic matter

Perverse Beliefs (

Non-abstinence (

Relative Importance of the Gates of Karmic Influx

Remissness (

Passions (

Activities(

MentalVocal

Physical

Stoppage of Influx of Karma -

A purified state of the soul is competent to close the gates of asrava and block the influx of karma - Samvara

1. Right Faith & Attitude

2. Abstinence & Self-Restraint

3. Spiritual Alertness

4. Freedom from Passions

5. Mental, Vocal, and Physical Stillness 12www.ScientificMeditation.com

Samvar 1: Right Faith & Attitude-

Right faith and firm conviction in thetruthfulness of the truth

Enlightened Knowledge

Enlightened World View

RightConduct

Right faith occurs when one tries to understand the eternal truths and realities, without prejudices and presumptions, from a knowledgeable Guru who is well versed with the agamas – the original teachings of an Omniscient.

Right World View -

Existence of the Soul

Each Soul is distinct and everlasting

Influx of Karmic matter

Experience of the fruits of Karma

Emancipation is possible by self-effort

Enlightened knowledge, enlightened world view and right conduct form the path of liberation

Samvar 2: Abstinence -

After the dawn of enlightenment, self-restraint and self-discipline are the important next steps in spiritual advancement

With strong determination one takes the vows prescribed by an Omniscient and follows a lifestyle that is beneficial for the stoppage of karmic influx

Samvar 3: Spiritual Alertness

Constant awareness of the self (Soul) and what one must do for stopping the influx of karmic matter

While living in the materialistic world, one must always remind the self to overcome the spiritual inertia through right conduct

Samvar 4: Freedom from Passions

Attitudinal change and behavioral modification is the next step for reducing the intensity of passions

It can be achieved with practice of contemplative meditation exercises prescribed by Omniscient

Meditation is the process of self-refinement to reduce destructive emotions, passions and feelings like anger, pride, deceit , greed, enmity, envy, cruelty, etc.

Samvar 5: Absence of activities

Samayik is the most popular practice in Jain tradition

In Samayik one takes vow for stopping mental, vocal and physical activities arising due to karmic messages coming from within

Being away from worldly activities, one exerts self control to observe equanimity – neither attraction nor aversion ( towards worldly matters

Right Faith & Attitude

Abstinence & Self-Restraint

Close the Gates of Karmic Influx

Spiritual Alertness

Freedom from Passions

Stillness

MentalVocal

Physical

Nirjara is the separation of karmic matter from the Soul

Falling off of Karma – Nirjara

Main function of religious and moral activities – penance and austerities (tapa) –is to purify the Soul by purging karmic matter

The bondage of punya karma and its fruits are incidental byproducts only

The foremost aim of tapa is to purify the soul21www.ScientificMeditation.com

Fasting enhances self-restraint and removes karma

Semi-fasting less intake of food

Conditional acceptance of food Restrict the variety of food items

Abstinence from delicacies Give up stimulating foods and drinks

Austerity (postures) Practice various postures for transmutation of body

Seclusion (withdrawal of the sense organs) Choose solitary place for less distraction

Six-fold External Penance –

Atonement Penances are prescribed to rectify the wrongdoing of vows

Reverence Due respect for learning and the learned

Service Offer service with humbleness to ascetics

Scriptural study Study, discussion and analysis of scriptures

Meditation Restraint of body, speech and mind

Abandonment (Kayotsarg) Calm and eliminate internal passions

Six-fold Internal Penance –

Association Disassociation of Karma

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