kid's world

Jainism.

Lesson -6

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 affect the course of our lives?

 Father: In ordinary parlance, karma means action, deed or work. In 

             Jainism, Karmas  are of two types-Bhava Karma and dravya 

             Karma. The Bhava Karma are our thoughts and feelings.

             Dravya karmas are very fine particles of matter. The Bhava Karma     

                         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 Bhava karmas. Bhava 

                         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. 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    

  e                    ffect the course of our   lives. In Jainism, these are called 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 souls 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/her 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 roll of God in our lives?

 

Father: We Jainas believe that there is no supreme being who regulates the 

             events in the universe . There is no Devine intervention in the  lives of 

             the worldly beings. We Jainas do believes that when a soul becomes 

             free from all bondage of karmas, it becomes pure. S such pure souls 

             are called God( Arihantas and Sidhas). Thus , God is a pure soul. 

             They do not reward or punish us. son, we worship Arihantas and 

           Sidhas 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 to do in the adverse circumstances?

         Father : Depending on our good or bad thoughts, speech and action , we get 

                        good or bad karmas. Therefore we should 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 circumstances, we will get 

                         rid of  our past undesirable karmas with the help of our pure

                        thought. My children, good thoughts, good deeds and good actions 

                        are the   keys of success. This is the message of karma  philosophy in 

                        Jainism.

   

                        

                      

Glossary:- 

Perception                 : The power of perceiving or process by which we become aware of   

                                 changes.

To get rid                   : To become free.

                                                                                                 "The End."

 

 

Note:- All the words in italic are from PRAKRTA, SANSKRTA  language.

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