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.
Link for Class: https://youtu.be/IapO7D3SMsk
Link for PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fx1XTwlGZqimfwNj-fIdT_Jgu1eA4AED/view?usp=sharing
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.
ReplyDeleteKarma is prevalent in Jainism due to which one in bound to bondage. According to me the internal bondage is much stronger than material bondage. Desire leads to every karmic particle therefore one has to be conscious of oneself from within.
ReplyDeleteLiberation is the ultimate goal of Jainism that is to attain freedom from the cycle of the birth and death. In the process of liberation from Samsara ,Karma becomes an obstacle and prevents the soul to reach its goal. The teaching of Jainism shows the way to get rid of karma
ReplyDeleteJainism is closely tied to the accumulation of karma and the resultant entrapment of the soul in the cycle of samsara
ReplyDeleteHaving originated in India and distinct from Hinduism, Jainism also adheres to the principles of Karma, the attachment of the soul to the body, and bondage.
ReplyDeleteHaving originated in India and distinct from Hinduism, Jainism also adheres to the principles of Karma, the attachment of the soul to the body, and bondage.
DeleteBondage, in Jainism, signifies the entrapment of the soul (Jiva) in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) due to its karmic attachments and actions. It is a state of spiritual constriction where the soul is burdened by the material world. Liberation (Moksha) is the ultimate goal in Jainism.
ReplyDeleteIn Jain philosophy, karma is a key factor in the soul's journey through the cycle of birth and rebirth.
ReplyDeleteJain's philosophy emphasizes karma as both a material and internal force that binds the soul. Purifying one's thoughts and deeds is necessary for liberation, as karmic ties must be gradually broken to unveil the soul's actual potential.
ReplyDeleteJain philosophy views karma as a subtle matter that binds the soul to the cycle of birth and death. By following the path of right conduct, knowledge, and faith, a soul can gradually shed karma and attain liberation (Moksha).
ReplyDeleteThe primary aim of Jainism is liberation, or freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Karma hinders this process, but Jain teachings provide guidance on overcoming it.
ReplyDeleteThe ultimate goal of Jainism is to completely free oneself from karmic and attain liberation the moksa. It reminds of my life struggle and how it is necessary to be liberated from bondages of life.
ReplyDeleteJainism views bondage as the soul's enslavement to karma, fueled by attachment, ignorance and ego. It can be removed and attained spiritual liberation through right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.
ReplyDeleteIn Jainism, the concept of bondage (bandha) refers to the soul's attachment to matter and the cycle of rebirth. This bondage is caused by karma, the consequences of past actions. The goal of Jain practice is to break free from this bondage and achieve liberation (moksha).
ReplyDeleteThe concept of bondage in Jainism is karma, it is like a sbtale matter which attaches to the body. Which leads to Samsara.And liberation is that the detachment of all karmic particles
ReplyDeleteJainism's concept of karma teaches us to reduce negative thoughts and desires, promoting mindfulness, ethical living, and personal growth for spiritual and emotional liberation in modern life.
ReplyDeleteIn Jainism, bondage arises from karmic matter attaching to the soul due to actions, obscuring its inherent qualities. Internal bondage (Bhava-bandha) stems from negative thoughts and emotions, while material bondage (Dravya-bandha) involves the attachment of karma particles. Liberation (Moksha) is achieved by purifying the soul through right conduct and asceticism.
ReplyDelete"Every soul has the potential to achieve infinite consciousness, power, and happiness by removing karmic obstructions." :- This is something good to know that all we need is happiness at last.
ReplyDeleteThe Jain concept of bondage, where karma binds the soul, motivates my pursuit of purity, self-discipline, and liberation from material attachments.
ReplyDeleteIn life, I sometime experience that how meditation and living ethically help me feel lighter and more at peace. Each small step feels like a way to let go of negativity and move closer to a sense of freedom and happiness.
ReplyDeleteAs I went through the above texts I learnt about the Bondage in Jainism. And by practice of right conduct, knowledge, and faith, an individual soul can be liberated from the bondage.
ReplyDeleteWhat I learnt that the Karma is intangible matter that attaches to the soul due to actions, obscuring its natural qualities. By removing karma through right conduct, knowledge, and faith, a soul can attain liberation. The goal is to free the soul from the cycle of birth and death.
ReplyDeleteKarma is seen as a subtle form of matter that attaches to the soul, obscuring its natural qualities. Through right conduct, knowledge, and faith, one can gradually shed this karmic matter and achieve liberation. Ultimately, every soul has the potential to attain infinite consciousness, power, and happiness by removing karmic obstructions.
ReplyDelete