Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study comparatively the concept of Karma of Buddhism and Jainism belong to the Nastika tradition of Indian philosophy. These two systems of Indian thought subscribe to the belief in the doctrine of Karma in relation to the belief in rebirth. Both systems have a similar view that Karma has a dominant role in determining the nature and circumstances of human life while wondering in Samsara. Whatever and however a man will be, happiness or suffering he will have, in his present life depending on what he did in the past and is doing at present. Whatever and however he will be in the future depending on the sum total of his past and present Karma. Therefore according to Buddhism and Jainsm a man himself is the determiner of his own life by his own actions. The research gives a further information that although Buddhism and Jainism believe in the law of Karma, both have some different points of view. In 3 Kinds of Karma, namely, Kaya-kamma, vaci-kamma and Mono-kamma, Buddhism lays stress on Mano-Kamma in producing a heavier result; without an association of Mono-kamma, bodily action and verbal action cannot be called Karma. In this connection the Jaina lays stress on Kaya-Kamma as the most powerful of all actions performed through body, words and thought. A Comparative study reveals that Jainism has devided Karma into many Kinds like Buddhism. Comparison, however, of the doctrine of Karma of both systems is the utmost difficult task, for it requires a comprehensive and deep understanding of the doctrine of both systems. Such understanding may probably require a life-long study. A Comparison made in this research is, therefore, limited in scope, i.e., only some visible similarities and differences have been taken up to compare with one another; e.g. to compare Bahula-Bamma of Buddhism with Vedaniya-kamma and Mohaniya-kamma of Jainism, Buddhist Janaka kamma with Jaina Gotra-kamma, Buddhist Upaghata-kamma with Jainna Antariya-kamma,etc. A significant difference is also found in the research, Viz., while Karma of Buddhism is a king of unseen power inherent in the performer of action which, if unable to produce its fruit immediately, will wait its appropriate time to give its result and then dissolves, the Jaina Karma is a kind of material substances. This Karmic substance will be absorbed into the Jiva by defilements called Kasaya which cousequently makes Jiva become defiled. The Jaina maintains that only when this karmic matter has been got vid of the Jiva will then attain liberation once and for all. Apart from comparing the doctrine of Karma of the two systems the concept of liberation has also been compared in a limited scope, ad this concept is to some extent related to the Karma doctrine. The writer would like to suggest that apart from the comparing of the concept of Karma already made in this research other significant concepts of the two systems such as the concept of liberation, the concept of morality, etc. should be studied and compared in the same manner. Such a study will be undoubtedly helpful to the study of Indian philosophy in general.