What are the views on porn and self gratification

In Jain Dharma, both porn and self‑gratification (masturbation) are viewed as spiritually harmful and against the vow of brahmacharya (celibacy / sexual control).

1. Why are they discouraged?

1. Increase of Kashāyas (passions)

Porn and self‑gratification strongly increase: - kām (lust) - moh (attachment / delusion) These passions disturb samyak darshan, samyak gyan, samyak charitra (right faith, knowledge, and conduct).

1. Strong bondage of karmas

Sexual excitement with intense attachment creates heavy paap karmas, especially: - nām, gotra, vedniya and mohaniya karmas This strengthens the cycle of birth and death.

1. Objectification of jīv (living beings)

In porn, other persons are seen only as objects of pleasure, not as souls on a spiritual journey. This increases: - Asātā vedniya (pain-causing karma for others) - Apramatta asatya / abrahmcharya (careless mental and physical impurity)

1. Mental addiction and restlessness

Repeated indulgence makes the mind restless, weak and distracted, which is opposite of the Jain path of: - saiyam (self‑control) - dhyān (meditation) - pratikraman (self‑reflection)

2. Brahmacharya in Jainism

For sādhus-sādhvīs (monks and nuns)

• Complete and strict brahmacharya in mind, speech and body is compulsory.
• Any sexual thought, sight, or act is a serious violation of conduct.

For śrāvaks-śrāvikās (householders)

• Before marriage: expected to practice celibacy.
• After marriage: limited sexual conduct, only with one spouse, and with restraint, not as uncontrolled indulgence.
• Pornography and self-gratification are not allowed, because they:

- excite the mind beyond limits, - are outside the marital relationship, - and usually involve strong imagination and attachment.

3. Is masturbation specifically mentioned?

Classical Jain texts discuss abrahmacharya mainly as:

• any misuse of sexual organs,
• sexual thoughts, talks, images, actions,
• outside the right limits of dharmic life.

By this principle, masturbation and porn clearly fall under abrahmacharya, because:

• they are done only for sensual pleasure,
• they are usually secretive, repetitive, and passion‑filled,
• they make celibacy and spiritual progress much harder.

Both Digambar and Shvetambar traditions agree that:

• For monks/nuns – completely forbidden.
• For laypeople – strongly discouraged and treated as a fault to be reduced, confessed, and finally given up.

4. Practical Jain approach (how to deal with it)

If someone is struggling with porn or self‑gratification, Jain Dharma does not teach hatred of oneself, but:

1. Accept it as a weakness (dosh) – see it clearly as paap and a form of abrahmacharya.
2. Alpālp nivāraṇ (gradual reduction)

- Reduce frequency, triggers, and situations. - Avoid loneliness with mobile, late‑night browsing, etc.

1. Change inner focus

- Think of the śuddha ātmā (pure soul), not the body. - Remember: “I am a soul, not this body and its urges.”

1. Punya‑upārjan (build good habits)

- Swādhyāy (study Jain texts / pravachan) - Jāp, stavans, samayik - Good company of dharmic people

1. Pratikraman & pratyākhyān

- Regularly do ālochana, pratikraman: confess and repent mentally. - Take small vows: “I will not watch such content today / tonight / for 3 days.”

5. Summary

• Porn: not allowed; it excites lust, creates strong karmic bondage, and is against brahmacharya.
• Self‑gratification (masturbation): also considered abrahmacharya, spiritually harmful, and should be avoided.
• Jain path encourages purity of mind, speech and body, and gradual movement towards complete brahmacharya, according to one’s stage (monk or householder).

If you want, I can outline a very simple, step‑by‑step Jain‑based plan to slowly come out of these habits.