Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
The concept of soul is at the foundation of Jain ethics. The rejection of the existence of soul dismantles the edifice of conduct. Jain philosophy accepts the existence of soul. With realization of the soul, the acceptance transforms into experience. A clear evidence of self-realization (of soul) is previous birth. With the knowledge of pre- birth and rebirth, all the doubts regarding the existence of the soul vanish away automatically. Lord Mahavira emphasized more on self-realization than on scriptural knowledge. The concept of pre-birth nourishes this belief.
In ancient times, gurus used to make their disciples realize their past births in order to keep their faith stable, in spiritual practices. In this context, example of Megha kumar is before us.[1] Lord Mahavira had made him realize his previous births. What was the process for realising previous births at that time is not available today, but at present multiple examples of occurrence of such memory are before us. Their validity is also beyond doubt. Parapsychologists are seriously focused in exploring this subject through experiments, since science is based on practical studies. The subject of rebirth is the soul and that cannot become the subject of investigation in science due to its immateriality (formlessness). Incorporeal cannot become the object of sensuous knowledge and experimentation.[2] But the worldly soul, is corporeal due to its possession of a luminous and subtle body. The luminous body is a material aggregate having eight touches. It can become the subject of the instrument of scientific research and if this happens, there will be an exploration of the newer dimensions in this field.
Why Isn't Past Life Known to All
It is not possible for all beings to have this memory. The reason for this is given in the Tanḍulaveyāliyaṃ which says that the intense suffering at the time of birth and death stupefies the person so deeply that one becomes incapable of remembering one's own past life.
jāyamāṇassa jaṃ dukkhaṃ maramāṇassa vā puṇo
teṇa dukkheṇa sammūḍho jāiṃ saraī nappaṇo[3]
Benefits of having Past -Life Memory
Recollection arises by the awakening of the past impressions. Past - life memory is also a type of recollection. The impressions of the previous birth arise only through the assistance of specific causes. In the absence of specific causes, these impressions cannot occur and without the awakening of impressions, recollection is not possible. The soul is eternal. In the absence of self- realization, a belief in it (soul) develops only through faith. With the occurrence of past - life memory, it becomes an experienced truth strengthening the domain of faith. By the visualization of the series of previous births, one gets attracted towards spirituality. His conduct and behaviour become balanced and simple.
