association disassociation of karma
TRANSCRIPT
Arun Zaveriwww.ScientificMeditation.com
Phone: +91 22 2414-2989 Email: [email protected]
Paryushan Parva Lecture SeriesJain Center of Greater Boston
Norwood, Massachusetts, USASeptember 2-9, 2013
Day 2
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
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InstinctsPassions,
Quasi-Passions
Influx ofKarma Matter
Karmic influx and bondage
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Mental, vocal, and physical activities attract Karmic matter
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Perverse Beliefs (
Non-abstinence (
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Relative Importance of the Gates of Karmic Influx
Remissness (
Passions (
Activities(
MentalVocal
Physical
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Right Faith & Attitude
Abstinence & Self-Restraint
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Close the Gates of Karmic Influx
Spiritual Alertness
Freedom from Passions
Stillness
MentalVocal
Physical
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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
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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 –
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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 –
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