This presentation was given at the October 2012 YJA Educational Webinar by Sramaniji Chaitanya Pragyaji.

1. Samani Dr. Chaitanya Prajna
Associate Professor, Jain Vishva Bharati
University, Ladnun, INDIA
&
Visiting Professor, Florida International
University, Miami, USA

2. Hinduism

3. The words “Jain” and “Jainism” have been
derived from the word “Jina” i.e. Arihanta,
Kevali or Tirthankar.
The followers of Jinas are known as Jains.
The teachings of the Jinas is known as
Jainism

4. Who is Jina?
Jinas are enlightened or awakened prophets.
Jinas are omniscient: the knower of past, present & future
Jinas are renunciate and live completely non-violent life.
Jinas are dispassionate , free from all passions: anger, ego,
deceit and greed and also free from all kinds of attachment and
hatred.
Destroyer of Karmas: Jinas destroy all the karmas and
liberate from the worldly existence after Nirvan, final death and
never reincarnate.
Jinas are God to the Jains, but in spiritual sense and not in
Hinduism: Sthitprajna & Jeevanmukta
the sense of creator, savior and destroyer of the world.
Buddhism: Bodhisattva & Arhat

5. The Jinas who establishe “Tirth”- religious
congregation including monks, nuns and lay
followers (male & female) , are recognized as
“Tirthankara”.
First Tirthankar – Bhagawan Rishabh (born
and liberated in the end of third era of the
present epoch)
Last Tirthankar – Bhagawan Mahavir (599-

6. Ancient Names of Jain Religion
• Jainism is one of the most ancient religions of the
world. It has been recognized by different names in
different times:
1. Shraman Dharma: The Religion of renunciates around 27th
c. BCE
2. Vratya Dharma : Religion of vows around 15th c. BCE
3. Arhat Dharma : Religion of Arhat, enlightened one
4. Nirgranth : Religion of the conqueror of attachment and
hatred around 6th c. BCE
5. Jain Dharma : Religion propounded by Jinas from 5th or 7th
c. CE onward

7. Contribution of Jainism
• Jainism has done special contribution to
the following branches of knowledge:
1.Metaphysics
2.Ethics
3.Mathematics
4.Epistemology
5.Karma Theory and Cosmology

8. Theory of Karma
Theory of karma is unique in Jainism. It is
unique for the following reasons:
• Karma is not mere impression of our good and bad
action on our soul but it is a psycho-physical energy
which affects one’s present and future life.
• Karma is one among the five factors: Time, Nature
of things, Karma, Self-effort and Determinism and
not the sole factor which affects our life.
• Karma is a power but not almighty which we
cannot challenge/change. One can bring change in
the effect and duration of the karmas attached.

9. Definition of Karma
“Karma is the subtle physical energy which gets
attracted and attached to a soul of an individual
by his own good and bad actions.”

10. Types of Karma
• There are eight types of karmic energy in the
environment:
• Jñānāvaraņīya Karma i.e. Knowledge-covering energy
• Darśanāvarņīya Karma i.e. Intuition-covering energy
• Mohanīya Karma i.e. Attitude and conduct deluding
energy
• Antarāya Karma i.e. Obstacle-creating energy
• Vedanīya Karma i.e. Pain and pleasure producing energy
• Āyuṣ ya Karma i.e. Life-span determining energy
• Nāma Karma i.e. Body-shaping energy
• Gotra Karma i.e. Status-determining energy

11. Effect of Karma
The effect of karma is identified in four
ways:
• Covering
• Deluding
• Blocking
• Causing favorable and unfavorable situations

12. The Role of Karma
• The following eight similes help understand clearly the role of each individual
karma in one’s life:
• Knowledge-covering karma is compared with the eyes covered with the piece
of cloth. As the cover does not allow to see things outside so is the karma. It
does not allow one to know everything and anything thing directly.
• Intuition-covering karma is compared with the watchman who restricts one to
enter into the house. This karma restricts soul to intuit things before they
happen.
• Attitude and conduct deluding karma is compared with the drinking of
alcohol. As an alcoholic is not able to discriminate between right and wrong so
is the karma. Because of Mohaniya karma individual looses his power of
discrimination between right and wrong and often chooses what is wrong.
• Obstacle creating karma is compared with the treasurer. Inspite of getting
permission from the king if the treasurer is not ready one cannot get money
from the treasure. This karma creates obstacle in one’s life inspite of being
able and putting hard effort one does not get the success one deserves.

13. Continued…..
• Pain-pleasure producing karma is compared with the test of the sword
smeared with the honey. As the sword gives sweet test and also cuts the
tong so is the karma. This karma is responsible for both pain and
pleasure in one’s life.
• Life-span determining karma is compared with the shackle which
binds the soul of an individual in a particular form of life. It fixes the
quality of birth and determines life-span.
• Body-shaping karma is compared with the potter who gives different
shapes to different pots. Similarly, body-shaping karma is responsible
for the physical difference of an individual.
• Status determining karma is compared with the painter who makes
beautiful and ugly pictures. Good or bad status of an individual in
society is determined by Gotra karma.

14. Cause of Karma
There are five main causes of karmic
bondage:
• Mithyatva: Ignorance about the true self
• Avrata: Lack of control on sensuous desire
• Pramada: Lack of spiritual awareness and
effort
• Kasaya: Aggressive emotions
• Yoga: Indulgence in activities

15. Level of Karmic Bondage
The karmic bondage takes place at
four levels:
• Nature
• Duration
• Intensity
• Quantity

16. Path to Liberation from Karma
Jainism is a soul oriented philosophy and religion
The ultimate goal of human life is to get liberation
from karmic bondage.
Three Jewels: Three-fold Path to Liberation
Samyak Darshna: Right Faith
Samyak Jnana: Right Knowledge
Samyak Charitra: Right Conduct

17. RIGHT FAITH
Deep faith in the independent existence of the soul
Soul exists
It is eternal
Worldly soul is bound by karma
Karma is the cause of rebirth
Karma can be destroyed
One who destroys karma can attain Moksha, eternal
peace, bliss and divine consciousness.

18. RIGHT KNOWLEDGE
World = Living + Non-living
Soul (jiva)
Mundane Liberated
Mobile Immobile
2,3,4 and 5 One sensed beings
sensed beings
Earth Water Fire Air Vegetable

19. AJIVA (NON-LIVING)
Dharmastikaya: Medium of motion
Adharmastikaya: Medium of rest
Akasastikaya: Space
Kala: Time
Pudgalastikaya: Matter and energy

20. RIGHT CONDUCT
Ascetic-life Layman-life
Mahavrata Anuvrata
“Complete vows” “Small vows”
1. Non-Violence (Ahimsa) 1. To avoid unnecessary violence (Sthula
Ahimsa)
2. Truthfulness (Satya)
2. To avoid harmful lie (Sthula Satya)
3. Non-Stealing (Asteya) 3. Non-Stealing or Honesty (Sthula
Asteya)
4. Celibacy
(Brahmacharya) 4. To be content with the married one
(Svadara-santosha)
5. Non-Possession 5. Limitation of wants ( Iccha- parimana)
(Aparigrah)

21. Thanks
JAY JINENDRA