Karma – Its Operation and an Appraisal

Summary

The article 'Karma: Its Operation and an Appraisal' by T.G. Kalghatgi discusses the Jain doctrine of karma. It explains that karma is indestructible and that every action brings consequences. Individuals can either increase or decrease karmic effects and can neutralise them through meditation, penance and confession. The article notes that Jain texts allow transfer of karma; a king acquires a sixth of his subjects’ merit or guilt depending on how he reignsfile:///home/oai/share/520751%20(1)-105-210.pdf#:~:text=is%20no%20annhilatlon%20of%20Karma%27,he%20reigns%20very%20badly. It then outlines eight processes of karmic matter: bandhana (bondage), samāpatamana (transformation), udvartana and apavartana (increased and decreased realisation), premature realisation (udvartana), subsidence (upāśama), combined subsidence and destruction (kṣayopasama), niṇhatā and nihantara. These processes describe how karmic particles bind to the soul, increase or decrease in duration and intensity, undergo transformation into other karmic types and eventually subside or are destroyedfile:///home/oai/share/520751%20(1)-105-210.pdf#:~:text=types%20,in%20the%20cases%20mentioned%20above. The article concludes that freedom is achieved by stopping the influx of new karmic matter and destroying existing karma, emphasising moral discipline, self-control and spiritual practicesfile:///home/oai/share/520751%20(1)-105-210.pdf#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20process%20by,7%29%20NiJhalti%20is.