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PATH TO LIBERATION
177
The Eight Kinds of Karma.
We have discussed various kinds of karma as we have worked laboriously through the long lists of divisions and subdivisions under which the Jaina classify the tenets of their faith; but it will probably make for clearness if, in studying the most popular way of classifying this important doctrine of karma, we begin as it were de novo and divide the subject afresh under the eight headings which the Jaina themselves most frequently quote.[1]
i. Jñānāvaraṇīya karma.The first kind of karma is that which hides knowledge from us. As a bandage bound across our eyes prevents us from seeing, so does Jñānāvaraṇīya karma prevent our receiving mental illumination for innumerable oceans of time. It is divided into eight classes: first Matijñānāvaraṇīya, which prevents our making a right use of our conscience and intellect; this again is subdivided into Utādtikī, which hinders the power of spontaneous thought; Vainayikī, the karma which prevents our getting those powers which are obtained by showing deference to our elders; Pāriṇāmikī, by which we are hindered from gaining any benefit or knowledge from experience; and lastly Kāmikī,[2] a karma which impedes our obtaining any intellectual stimulus from memories of the past or from hope for the future. Perhaps these are nearly sufficient for our purpose, as showing how completely karma can prevent our gaining knowledge; but the Nandī Sūtra goes into the subject at great length, and discusses twenty-eight other minor ways in which Matijñānāvaraṇīya karma may impede learning. It is important also to note the other kinds of Jñānāvaraṇīya karma, which prevent our getting any knowledge from reading the sacred books (Śrutajñānāvaraṇīya); or never allow us to know what is passing in the minds of others (Manaḥparyāyajñānāvaraṇīya); or what is happening at a distance (Avadhijñānāvaraṇīya); and lastly prevent our