Fundamental Principles Of Jainism

This document is a detailed exploration of the fundamental principles of Jainism, authored by Dr. B.C. Law. It aims to present a comprehensive overview of Jain philosophy and practices, highlighting its unique characteristics and its historical position between Brahmanism and Buddhism.

The core of Jainism, as described, is ahimsa (non-harming), which is presented as the foundational principle of a higher life. The ultimate goal in Jainism is nirvana or moksha, which signifies liberation from the cycle of birth and death, achieved through self-denial, self-abnegation, and self-mortification, often through tapas (austerities). Nirvana is characterized as a state of peace, freedom from pain, and a difficult but ultimate attainment by sages. It is distinct from the Buddhist concept of nirvana, which some interpret as annihilation. For Jainas, parinirvana is the final consummation of perfection, a state of eternal freedom from passion and suffering, achieved through the exhaustion of karma.

The text delves into the Jain concept of the soul (jiva), contrasting it with other Indian philosophical schools. Jainism views the soul as an active principle, essential to moral and immoral actions, and asserts the plurality of souls, a point of agreement with the Samkhya system. Jain souls are believed to undergo changes due to circumstances, but the fundamental nature of the soul itself is not altered. Jainism also emphasizes a hylozoistic view of nature, positing that even inanimate matter contains some form of life (jiva), leading to classifications like earth-lives, water-lives, and fire-lives.

A significant portion of the text is dedicated to the concept of karma. In Jainism, karma is not merely a deed or a mystical force but a material substance that binds the soul. It is acquired through attachment to worldly things, the union of body, mind, and speech with worldly objects, and through negative emotions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed, as well as false belief. Unlike in Hinduism, where God inflicts punishment for karma, Jainism posits that karma accumulates energy and works itself off automatically. The text outlines eight kinds of karma, each with specific effects on the soul, and distinguishes between ghātiyakarma (destructive karma) that keeps the soul bound to mundane existence.

The document also discusses kriyāvāda, the Jain doctrine of action, and distinguishes it from other contemporary philosophies like akriyāvāda (doctrine of non-action), ajñānavāda (scepticism), and vinayavāda (formalism). It references various philosophical viewpoints prevalent in ancient India, linking them to thinkers like Ajita, Katyāyana, and Gosāla, and their respective schools of thought, such as atheism, eternalism, absolutism, and fatalism.

Jainism's ethical framework is further elaborated through the five great vows (pañcamahāvrata), which are abstinence from:

1. Harming life (himsa)
2. Lying (musa)
3. Theft (adatta)
4. Incontinence (abramha)
5. Hankering after worldly possessions (pariggaha)

These vows are contrasted with five sinful deeds that lead to impiety. The text also details various practices for spiritual progress, including the twelve vows, confession of sins, repentance, moral and intellectual purity, adoration of the Jinas, reverence for the guru, expiation of sins, and various forms of meditation and ascetic practices.

The doctrine of Syādvāda is introduced as a method for understanding truth, emphasizing that assertions are made from specific viewpoints, with the word "Syāt" ("may be") signifying a conditional or partial truth. This approach is presented as a way to avoid dogmatism and skepticism.

The concept of Leśyā is explained as the "colour" or condition of the soul, influenced by karma, and is classified into six types: black, blue, grey, red, yellow, and white, with the first three being considered "bad" and the latter three "good." The acquisition of pure leśyā is a key religious effort.

Finally, the text touches upon the nine truths (navatattva) of Jainism, which include jiva (soul), ajiva (non-living), the binding of the soul by karma, merit (punya), demerit (papa), influx of sins (asrava), prevention of sins (samvara), annihilation of karma (karmakshaya), and liberation (moksha). It also describes the six substances (astikāyas) that constitute reality: dharma, adharma, space, time, matter, and soul.

In essence, the book provides a foundational understanding of Jainism, emphasizing its ethical principles, its unique metaphysical concepts, and its practical path towards spiritual liberation.