In Jainism, there are 8 main types of karma (Ashta‑karma) that bind to the soul.

They are usually divided into two groups:

1. Ghatiya (destructive) karmas – 4 types

These directly cover the soul’s true qualities (infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, energy):

1. Jñānāvaraṇīya karma – covers knowledge
2. Darśanāvaraṇīya karma – covers perception/right vision
3. Mohaniya karma – causes delusion, attachment–aversion, wrong belief and conduct
4. Antarāya karma – creates obstacles in doing good, giving, gaining strength, etc.

2. Aghatiya (non‑destructive) karmas – 4 types

These do not touch the soul’s inner purity; they only decide worldly conditions:

1. Vedanīya karma – causes pleasure and pain
2. Nāma karma – decides body type, form, senses, etc.
3. Gotra karma – decides status, family, respect/disrespect
4. Āyu karma – decides lifespan in a particular birth

So, total karmas = 8.

Both Digambar and Shvetambar traditions accept these same 8 main karmas. They further have many sub‑types (up to 148 in some classifications), but when people ask “how many karmas?”, the standard Jain answer is eight.

You can read a simple explanation of the eight karmas here