The Religious and Scientific Dimensions
Dr. N.L. Kachhara
Publisher
Dharam Darshan Sewa Samsthan
55, Ravindra Nagar, Udaipur 313003
Rajasthan, India
JAINA DOCTRINE OF KARMA
The Religious and Scientific Dimensions
Dr. N.L. Kachhara
First Edition
June 2005, 1000 copies
Publisher
Dharam Darshan Sewa Samsthan
(Religio-Philosophical Service Institution)
55, Ravindra Nagar, Udaipur 313003
Rajasthan, India
e-mail: nlkachhara@yahoo.com
Price Rs 35/-, US$ 5.0
Composing: Vinayak Graphics, Udaipur (Raj.), India
Printing: Puneet Offset, Udaipur (Raj.), India
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The Doctrine of Karma deals with the laws of nature that govern the lives
of all organisms. All religions and philosophical schools of thoughts in
India who believe in rebirth have pronounced this as the fundamental
principle that connects our past, present and future. Though all schools
offer some explanation how this happens, the Jaina approach to this
doctrine is unique as it is based on scientific reasoning. The Arihantas
who perceived the truth in its entirety presented the details of the way
in which this law operates.
The Doctrine of Karma has serious implications in our
personal and social lives. An understanding of this Doctrine can improve
our moral, social and ethical behavior and foster harmonious relationship
at global level. Allegiance to any particular faith or belief is not
necessary to understand this Doctrine. Everyone seeking self-realization
will find the propositions convincing and logical.
There is a tendency now a day to question everything
that is religious, firstly due to lack of understanding of the true spirit
of the religious tenets and secondly the advancements in physical sciences
are influencing the mind of every one. However, the religious doctrines
backed by science find easy acceptance and are valued.
This book does not give a detailed account of Doctrine
of Karma, for that the reader must refer to other texts on Jainism. The
main objective of this book is to understand the nature and working of the
Karma and Tejas bodies, and establish a correlation between the Doctrine
of Karma and the existing body of scientific knowledge. To this end the
basic principles of the Doctrine, as promulgated by Jainas, the concepts
of energy bodies, Nadis and Chakras given by Vedic and western thinkers
and the scientific principles of DNA, genome and bio photons have been
reviewed. A comparative study has given a clear understanding of the
structure of Karma and Tejas bodies and has shown that the scientific
findings corroborate well with the religious propositions. Further, it is
seen that some of the questions in the areas of genetic science and
biophotonic theory puzzling the scientists have their answers in the
Doctrine of Karma. No prior knowledge of Jainism is necessary to follow
the book.
Doctrine of karma is an important principle governing
our lives. Knowing its subtler details is interesting as well as
gratifying. The fact that an automatic regulating process is working
within us that keeps record of our actions, thoughts and feelings and
gives reward and punishment at appropriate time for our good and bad deeds
compels us to be conscious of what is right and wrong and inspires us to
take right and benevolent decisions. It is hoped that this small book
shall convince the readers of the scientific reality of the Doctrine of
Karma and inspire them to lead a truthful life.
The study undertaken in this book is just a beginning
of scientific exploration of doctrine of Karma. Further studies and
research are required to know the science behind other aspects of this
Doctrine. The Jaina philosophy has strong logical and scientific basis
which provides deep insight into the phenomena taking place in nature and
this can have important implications for scientific progress.
Acharya Shri Kanaknandi ji gurudev has been a source of
inspiration to me in writing this book. Muni Mahendra Kumar ji has been
very kind to go through the manuscript. I offer my obeisance to both of
them. My son Vinay has helped me in composing the book. Smt Sushila
Kachhara my wife, Sanjeev and Sonia Kachhara, my son and daughter-in-law,
Kamal. S. Jain and Manju Jain, my son-in-law and daughter have provided
financial assistance in publication of this book.
My thanks are due to all of them.
