Concept Of Bondage In Jainism
In Jain philosophy, karma is a form of subtle matter that attaches to the soul due to one's actions, obscuring its natural qualities. This karmic matter acts like clouds blocking the sun, hindering the soul’s infinite consciousness, power, and happiness. The more karma a soul accumulates, the more its natural qualities are obscured, resulting in bondage in the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
By following the path of right conduct, knowledge, and faith, a soul can gradually remove karmic particles. Practices such as meditation, asceticism, and ethical living help purify the soul, shedding karma and allowing it to regain its natural perfections. The ultimate goal is to completely remove all karmas, thereby freeing the soul from samsara and attaining Moksha (liberation).
Despite current impurities, every soul has the potential to achieve infinite consciousness, power, and happiness by removing karmic obstructions. This belief underscores the possibility of spiritual liberation for all beings.
The limitations in an individual’s soul are due to its identification with the material body, influenced by karma from past lives. Karma generates blind cravings and passions that attract specific matter-particles, organizing them into the desired body. Jain writers highlight that bondage begins in thought, distinguishing between two types of bondage: internal (ideal) and material.
Internal Bondage (Bhava-bandha) occurs within the soul due to negative thoughts, desires, and emotions. For example, anger and hatred create negative energy within the soul, disturbing its natural peace and purity, while desires and greed bind the soul internally, making it restless and unsatisfied.
Material Bondage (Dravya-bandha) involves the actual attachment of karma particles to the soul. Actions, whether good or bad, attract karma particles that influence the soul’s condition. For instance, lying attracts negative karma, creating future obstacles, whereas helping someone attracts positive karma, potentially leading to better circumstances.
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Jainism says that bondage begins in thought. It reminds me of the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, which states that the right view is the first path. This is because, personally, I believe everything starts from our thinking. Anthony de Mello also emphasizes the importance of the right understanding, which influences everything in life.
ReplyDeleteI learn that our Bondage is influenced by karma and our purity and freedom gets affected. So inorder to remove this karma we need right conduct, knowledge and faith. And this is possible through Ascetisim.
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding the concepts of internal and external bondages in Jainism can help me examine life more deeply. While internal bondages may not be fully within our control, we can still manage our actions by doing good in society.
ReplyDelete"Every soul has the potential to achieve infinite consciousness, power, and happiness by removing karmic obstructions" - This Phrase relates with the possibility of the spiritual liberation for all beings. This is where the aspect of compassion comes into play. It challenged me.
ReplyDeleteEvil thoughts, desires, emotions, hatred and anger and bad deeds are the bondage or karma which corrupt the soul from perfection and pure. In order to overcome; one need pure thought, right knowledge, right conduct and right faith.
ReplyDeleteJainism tells that every soul has potential to achieve infinite consciousness, power, and happiness by removing karmic obstructions. This belief underscores the possibility of spiritual liberation for all beings.In similar to this the Bible speaks about every human has also potential to become divine. I find this very similar and closely related.
ReplyDeleteTo remove all karmas which is the ultimate goal, is extremely difficult to reach. This help me to realised how blessed I am to be a Christian because in Christian we have a forgiving God and to be in Paradise or liberation is easy.
ReplyDeleteJainism's teachings highlight two types of bondages: Internal Bondage and Material Bondage, which talk about negative thoughts, desires and emotions, like anger and hatred which create negative energy within the soul. It gave me a deeper understanding of my life, especially to be aware of all these negative thoughts and desires.
ReplyDeleteJain philosophy beautifully illustrates the transformative journey of the soul from karmic entanglement to spiritual liberation through purification and self-realization.
ReplyDeleteJainism says karma is a subtle form of matter that attaches to the soul due to one's actions, obscuring its natural qualities and leading to bondage in the cycle of birth and death (samsara). The path to liberation involves removing these karmic obstructions through right conduct, knowledge, and faith, ultimately freeing the soul and allowing it to achieve infinite consciousness, power, and happiness.
ReplyDeleteIt is getting a little confused for me comparing this idea of karma with hindusism and attaining moksha. If Jainism ideal is to attain moksha then it has the same belief as Hinduism.
ReplyDeleteKarmic obstractions begin in thought. There are two types of bondage (1) Internal(ideal) (2) material. I realized I was in bondage. The fear of exam was an internal bondage. Negative energy weakened myself. Bondage was relatable to me. I will be liberated from bondage after the exam. I need positive energy to restore myself.
ReplyDeleteOur souls is bilned by our negative and impure thoughts, words and deeds. They have a spiritual consequences of cycle of rebirth. We can overcome this cycle or rebirth or karma through our positive and pure thoughts, words and deeds.
ReplyDeleteIn the concept of the Bondage , by following the path of right conduct, knowledge, and faith, a soul can gradually remove karmic particles. Practices such as meditation, asceticism, and ethical living help purify the soul.
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