Jaina Theory of Transmigration

This scholarly article provides a philosophical and doctrinal analysis of the Jain theory of transmigration (saṁsāra). Drawing primarily from Umasvāti's Tattvārthādhigama-sūtra and Jinabhadra’s Viseṣāvaśyaka-bhāṣya, it elaborates on how the soul (jīva), karmic matter (karman), and the body interact in Jain metaphysics. 🔹 Key Concepts: Dualism of Jīva and Ajīva: The Jain cosmos is built on the interaction between sentient beings (jīva) and non-sentient matter (ajīva), particularly karmic matter (pudgala). 1. Seven Tattvas (Realities): i) Jīva (soul) ii) Ajīva (non-soul) iii) Āsrava (inflow of karma) iv) Bandha (bondage of karma) v) Saṁvara (stoppage of karma) vi) Nirjarā (shedding of karma) vii) Mokṣa (liberation) 2. Production of Body: Jīva is the producer (kartṛ) of both the body and karma. Karman acts as the instrumental cause (karaṇa) in the generation of the physical body. 3. Causal Loop of Body and Karma: Karma and the body exist in a mutual cause-effect loop, much like the seed and sprout analogy, explaining the beginningless cycle of birth and rebirth. 4. Karmic Body (Kārmaṇa Śarīra): A subtle body made of karmic particles that accompanies the soul between rebirths, enabling its movement post-death and acting as the seed for the next physical form. It is one of five types of bodies in Jainism: i) Gross (audārika) ii) Transformational (vaikriyā) iii) Projected (āhāraka) iv) Fiery (taijasa) v) Karmic (kārmaṇa) 5. Function of Kārmaṇa Śarīra: i) Ensures the soul can migrate to a new physical body after death. ii) Without it, transmigration would cease, and liberation (mokṣa) would happen automatically, which contradicts Jain doctrine. 6. Samsāra Samsāra is the alternation between the karmic body and the gross body, brought about by a mutual causal relationship.

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