Answer

In Jain Dharma, karma is a subtle material substance that attaches to the soul because of thoughts, speech, and actions driven by passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed.

Explanation

According to Jain philosophy, the soul is naturally pure, conscious, and full of knowledge and bliss. But when a person acts with attachment, aversion, or ignorance, karmic particles bind to the soul.

This karma influences:

• Our birth and life circumstances
• Health and longevity
• Intelligence and perception
• Feelings of happiness and sorrow
• Spiritual progress or bondage

Karma is not just a moral idea in Jainism. It is a real subtle matter that causes bondage to the soul.

There are two main aspects:

• Āsrava: influx of karma into the soul
• Bandha: bondage of karma with the soul

And there is also:

• Saṃvara: stopping new karma
• Nirjarā: shedding old karma

Spiritual Understanding

The concept of karma teaches personal responsibility. In Jain Dharma, no soul is punished by an outside force. Each soul experiences the results of its own karmas.

This is why Jain practice emphasizes:

• Right faith
• Right knowledge
• Right conduct
• Non-violence
• Self-control
• Detachment
• Austerity

By reducing passions and living with awareness, one can stop karmic bondage and gradually free the soul.

Takeaway

Karma in Jainism is the binding force that keeps the soul in bondage. Liberation comes by stopping new karma and removing old karma through purity, discipline, and non-attachment.