ABC Of Jainism: 06 Law Of Nature

Son

Daddy, we observe several changes taking place around us. For example, when a seed is sown in the ground, a plant grows. Such plants undergo various life processes such as respiration, regeneration etc. How do we explain these phenomena?

Father

We Jainas believe that all objects in the universe change according to their own intrinsic properties. Modern science confirms that the law of nature makes things happen.

Daughter

Daddy, how do events happen in our lives? Is it also a law of nature?

Father

My children, all worldly beings have souls living in their bodies. When a worldly soul takes up a new material body, a new life begins. A living being grows and other life processes take place because of the presence of the body. The pure souls do not have material attachment. Thus, they do not interfere in the events of the universe. The important eternal qualities of the soul are perception and knowledge. These qualities are hidden on account of its continuous association with karmas. These factors affect the lives of all worldly beings.

Son

Daddy, it is very interesting. Please tell us what are karmas? How does one obtain karmas? How does karmas effect the course of our lives?

Father

In ordinary parlance, karma means action, deed or work. In Jainism, karmas are of two types - Bhāva karma and Dravya karma. Bhāva karmas are our thoughts and feelings. Dravya karmas are very fine particles of matter which continue to remain attached with the worldly souls. Dravya karmas constantly result from our Bhāva karmas. Bhāva karmas are manifestation of various emotional states such as love, anger, pride and greed.

Like water in milk, these fine particles or Dravya karmas get completely assimilated with soul. This assimilation remains throughout the life as well as in migration of soul from one body to another. This assimilation or bondage of Dravya karmas with soul produces certain conditions in such a way as a pill of medicine which when introduced in' to the body, produces manifold effects therein.

Further, the things around us such as our body, parents, friends, enemies, toys and other environmental events effect the course of our lives. In Jainism, these are called Nokarmas. These karmas and nokarmas determine the course of our lives.

Therefore, the law of karma is not the doctrine of fatalism. It is the moral law of causation which shows that soul is the maker of its fortunes or misfortunes. Every thing in our lives is a result of our own. thoughts and feelings. Each one of us is responsible for his own life.

Son

Daddy, we realize that we enjoy or suffer on account of our own good or bad deeds. Please tell us what is the role of God in our lives?

Father

We Jainas believe that there is no Supreme Being who regulates the events in this universe. There is no divine intervention in the lives of the worldly beings. We Jainas do believe that when a soul becomes free from all bondage of karmas, it becomes pure. Such pure souls are called God (Arihantas and Siddhas). Thus, God is a pure soul. They do not reward or punish us.
Son, we worship Arihantas and Siddhas as ideals for following their virtues. We also get good thoughts and feelings when we visit our temples for prayer and worship. Such prayer and worship lead us towards spiritual advancement.

Daughter

Daddy, Please tell us what do we do in the adverse circumstances?

Father

Depending upon our good or bad thought, speech and action, we get good or bad karmas. Therefore, we should always have good thoughts, use good words and do good actions in all circumstances even when our karmas and nokarmas are not favorable. If we continue to have good feelings and thoughts even in adverse conditions, we will get rid of undesirable karmas and obtain good karmas. We may even be able to get rid of our past undesirable karmas with the help of our pure thoughts.
My children, good thoughts and feelings, good deeds and good actions are the keys of Success. This is the message of karma philosophy in Jainism.