Here are the Jain concepts about asrava in simple terms:

• What is asrava?

- Asrava means the influx or flowing in of karmic particles into the soul. This happens because of our inner passions and outer actions that bind new karma to the jiva (the soul).

• What causes asrava?

- The main inner causes are the five passions: anger (krodha), pride (mana), deceit (maya/falsehood), greed (lobha), and attachment (parigraha or raga). When these passions are active, they attract karmic matter. - External factors like rude or deceitful speech, improper conduct, and harming others can also facilitate asrava, because they reinforce those inner passions or produce new karmic effects.

• What kinds of karma are connected to asrava?

- In Jain doctrine, new karmic bondage is a result of asrava. The inflow of karmic particles binds with the soul and leads to future experiences (bodily, sensory, and mental results). This is the mechanism by which suffering or pleasure arises in future vidas (births).

• What is the remedy for asrava?

- Samvara: stopping the inflow of karma by controlling the five passions and one’s actions. This is achieved through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (the triple gems of Jain practice), ethical discipline, and disciplined meditation/awareness. - Nirjara (penance/parikram): gradual shedding of accumulated karma already on the soul, through ascetic practices, restraint, and ethical living. - Sadhana (spiritual practice) that cultivates forgiveness, humility, honesty, and non-violence helps reduce inflows and promotes purification.

• Digambar vs. Shwetambar perspectives (briefly):

- Both traditions recognize asrava as the inflow of karmic matter due to passion and action. - They may differ in how certain practices are described or emphasized in rituals, vows, or interpretations of particular sutras, but the core idea of asrava as karmic influx and its opposition through samvara and purification is shared.

If you’d like, I can present the exact Sanskrit terms and their traditional meanings for asrava, along with how Digambar and Shwetambar authorities explain them in specific texts.