Jiva (soul) in Jainism

• What it is: Jiva is the conscious, living soul. It is eternal, pure at its core, and has the capacity for perfect knowledge, perception, and bliss.
• Nature of jiva: A jiva is fundamentally a sentient (knowing) being. Its true nature is infinite consciousness and bliss, but it appears imperfect due to bondage of karma.
• Bound and liberated: The jiva binds karma through actions, passions, and impressions, which creates cycles of birth and death (samsara). When karma is shed, the jiva shines in its pure, liberated state (moksha).
• Distinction from matter: Jiva is sentient (ajiva is non-sentient matter). Jivas come in many forms and scales of consciousness, from the tiniest beings to omniscient liberated souls.
• Life aim: The spiritual goal is to reduce and ultimately shed karma through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (along with right discipline), leading to liberation from samsara.
• Digambar and Shwetambar views: The fundamental nature of jiva as conscious, eternal, and the source of bondage through karma is shared. There are differences in metaphysical details and practices between the traditions, but both affirm the jiva’s potential for pure knowledge and liberation.

Key ideas to remember

• Jiva = pure consciousness, temporarily veiled by karma.
• Karma affects perception, knowledge, and experiences in each birth.
• Liberation (moksha) is realization of the jiva’s own true nature, free from all karmic shackles.