What are the 18 faults that persist till all 4 ghati karmas are not destroyed in jainisim
There are 18 paap (faults/sins) in Jainism that bind karma until they are overcome; these are commonly listed as the Adhaar Paapasthaana or Paapasthānakas. The gist is that an Arihant or Siddha is free from these, and lay followers are urged to minimize or avoid them as part of the path to liberation.
The 18 faults (paapas) are usually described as:
- Pranatipata: violence or harming living beings
- Mrishha: falsehood or lying
- Adattadana: stealing or taking what is not given
- Maithuna: unchastity or sexual misconduct
- Parigraha: attachment/greed (possessiveness)
- Krodha: anger
- Mana: ego/pride
- Maya: deceit or duplicity
- Lobha: greed
- Raga: attachment or liking (sensory craving)
- Dvesha: aversion or hatred
- Kalaha: quarrelling
- Abhyakhyana: false accusation
- Paishunya: gossip/backbiting
- Par-parivada: criticizing others
- Rati-arati: liking/disliking (partiality in worldly matters)
- Maya-mrisha: deceitful falsehood (a combination of deceit and lying)
- Mithyatva: wrong belief/false faith
These are described across Jain texts as the core moral failures that bind karmas, with the ideal being to live in a way that avoids them as much as possible. The basic idea is that an enlightened soul (Arihant/Siddha) is completely free from these 18 faults.
Note on traditions:
- The core list of 18 paap is recognized across Jain traditions (Śvetāmbara and Digambara), though wording and emphasis can vary slightly by text or commentary.
- The goal, in both traditions, is to reduce or eradicate these faults through right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, and regular repentance.