Kṣāyopśamik samyaktva can be lost and regained many times, even within the same birth. Is this true. What about upshan samyaktva?
Your main statement is essentially correct, with an important clarification.
1. Types of Samyak Darshan (right faith) by karma-cause
Jain philosophy (both Digambar and Śvetāmbara) generally speaks of three main lasting types of samyak darshan, based on the state of darshan-mohaniya karma:
- Upśam (Aupashamik) Samyaktva
– Deluding karma is only suppressed (upśam), not destroyed. – Most unstable type.
- Kṣāyopśamik Samyaktva
– Some portion of deluding karma is destroyed (kṣay), some is only suppressed (upśam). – More stable than pure upśam, but not permanent.
- Kṣāyik Samyaktva
– Deluding karma related to right faith is completely destroyed. – Absolutely permanent; never lost.
(There is also a very momentary kṣanik samyaktva described, but for your question these three are enough.)
You can read a simple overview of samyaktva here:
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2. Can Kṣāyopśamik Samyaktva be lost and regained many times in the same birth?
Yes.
- In kṣāyopśamik samyaktva, a part of the deluding karma is only suppressed.
- Suppressed karma can rise again (uday), disturbing right faith.
- When it rises, the soul can fall back into mithyātva (wrong belief) or miśra-darshan (mixed belief), i.e. samyaktva is lost.
- When suppression happens again and the proper conditions (saṅyog, upādāna, etc.) return, samyaktva can arise again.
Scriptures do not put a fixed numerical limit on how many times this can happen in one birth. So, in principle, kṣāyopśamik samyaktva can be lost and regained many times within the same life, until complete destruction (kṣayik) of darshan-mohaniya occurs.
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3. What about Upśam (Aupashamik) Samyaktva?
The same principle applies, even more strongly.
- In pure upśam samyaktva, no deluding karma is destroyed; it is only suppressed.
- Because everything is based on suppression alone, this samyaktva is very fragile and short‑lived.
- As soon as suppressed mohaniya karma rises fully, samyaktva is lost.
- If the karma is again suppressed under right conditions, aupashamik samyaktva can arise again.
So:
- Yes, upśam samyaktva can also be lost and regained multiple times in the same birth.
- Compared to kṣāyopśamik, it is generally considered less stable and more prone to quick loss.
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4. The one that cannot be lost
For completeness:
- Once kṣāyik samyaktva arises (complete destruction of darshan‑mohaniya karma),
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5. Difference in Digambar / Śvetāmbara view
On this particular point:
- Both Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions accept:
- Differences are more in technical detail and terminology, not in the basic principle you asked about.
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Summary
- Kṣāyopśamik samyaktva – can indeed be lost and regained many times in the same birth.
- Upśam (aupashamik) samyaktva – also can be lost and regained many times, and is even more unstable.
- Only kṣāyik samyaktva is once‑for‑all and never lost.