liberated soul moksh
Moksha in Jainism is the complete liberation of the soul (jiva) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). When a soul is freed, all karmic bonds are destroyed, and the soul remains forever in its pure, infinite nature.
Key ideas:
- What it is: a state of infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss, and infinite energy (often called kevala jnana, kevala darshan, anant sukha, anant virya).
- Where it goes: the liberated soul rises to Siddhashila, the highest region at the top of the universe, and stays there as a siddha (liberated soul).
- How it is attained: by shedding all karma and by following the Ratnatraya—Right Faith (samyak darshan), Right Knowledge (samyak jnana), and Right Conduct (samyak charitra). This is supported by living with non-violence, truth, non-attachment, and disciplined self-restraint.
- Do all souls achieve it? Yes, every jiva can attain moksha by removing new karmas (samvar) and shedding old karmas (nirjara).
Tradition differences (very brief):
- Digambar and Śvetāmbara both teach moksha as the goal and Siddhashila as the liberated realm, but there are some minor doctrinal nuances in descriptions of practices and lineage. The essential spiritual aim—liberation of the soul from karmic bondage—remains the same.