What are the nine tattvas

The nine tattvas in Jainism are the fundamental truths that explain the bondage and liberation of the soul:

1. Jīva — soul, living being
2. Ajīva — non-living substances
3. Āsrava — influx of karma
4. Bandha — bondage of karma
5. Punya — meritorious karma
6. Pāpa — sinful karma
7. Saṃvara — stoppage of karma influx
8. Nirjarā — shedding of karma
9. Mokṣa — liberation of the soul

These tattvas show the Jain path:

• understand the nature of the soul and matter,
• stop new karma,
• remove existing karma,
• and attain liberation.

In Jain tradition, some texts group Punya and Pāpa under Āsrava and Bandha, but the commonly taught list is these nine tattvas.