Jainism: Karma and the Jain Art Of Living

The Jains understand karma, however, in quite a different fashion from the way this is understood in Western philosophy. Karma exists only as the result of the actions of living beings. Jains are most concerned with the human actions, since only human beings have the ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus, the Jains emphasise on karma and this is the recognition that perfect or imperfect condition of each and every person is the result of his own karma.

Since the individual of necessity must act in a world of karma, it is crucial to distinguish between actions that are good, auspicious, and meritorious and those that are bad, inauspicious and demeritorious. Short of completely renouncing all actions, which in the present context is proper only for the individual on the verge of death, the Jains strive to maximize the positive effects and to minimise the negative effects incumbent upon all actions.

The average Jain lives within the world of material possessions. While recognising that liberation is the ultimate goal of every human being, laypersons have postponed the great sacrifice required to become a monk or a nun, either until later in this lifetime or until another lifetime (for every soul will be reborn countless times until it attains liberation). While monks seek to become purified from all karma, householders seek instead to transform their karmic status through venerating, praising, and worshipping the spiritual ideal of the Jina, and to a lesser extent through similar ritual actions directed toward beings who are closer to that goal.

Jainism lays emphasis on Aparigraha , roughly translated as non-possession. Not non-possession of objects alone, but non-possession of desires and the baser instincts as well. According to Jain religion, desires and their satisfaction cannot become the basis of relationship with another. So far as an individual is concerned, his desires make him restless for achieving them, and keep him restless for restoring what has been achieved. We maintain relationship with others so that we achieve our selfish goals. Whenever need arises we may use them.

Therefore, in Jainism Aparigraha has been given utmost importance. Thereby nothing to be accepted, stored and kept.

Ahimsa is very much related with tolerance. The sentiment conveys that do not give pain to others. Tolerance means forgiveness, conscienceness and renunciation of ego. Jainism is the biggest example of forgiveness and tolerance on earth. It is the only real test of civilization. It is the positive and cordial effort to understand another's beliefs, practices and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them.

No religion ever teaches intolerance against each other. It is the basic concept. And Jain religion, therefore, always expresses respect, tolerance for others.

This belief of religious tolerance will help in world peace. It will be worth remembering Gandhiji's favourite songs 'Ishwar Allah tero nam / sab ko sanmati de Bhagwan ' (emphasising that no religion was alien to him) ' vaishnav jan to tene kahiye / je peer parayee jane re. ..' His message of love and sympathy touches the core of universal tolerance.