Tell me about karma and how to remove it
Answer
In Jain Dharma, karma is the subtle matter that binds to the soul because of actions, speech, thoughts, and especially passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed. Karma hides the soul’s natural qualities of knowledge, peace, and bliss.To remove karma, one must do two things:
- Stop new karma from coming in, called samvara
- Shed existing karma, called nirjara
Explanation
Karma in Jainism is not just a moral idea. It is a real subtle bondage that attaches to the soul.How karma is bound:
- Through harmful actions
- Through attachment and aversion
- Through anger, ego, deceit, and greed
- Through carelessness and हिंसा, even in subtle form
How karma is removed:
- Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct
This is the core path in Jainism.
- Practice of vows
The five vows help reduce karmic bondage: - Non-violence - Truth - Non-stealing - Chastity - Non-possessiveness
- Self-control
Control of mind, speech, and body weakens karma.
- Tapasya
Austerity helps burn old karma. This includes: - Fasting - Limiting food and desires - Inner discipline - Repentance and forgiveness
- Forgiveness and purity
Releasing anger and ego reduces new bondage.
- Meditation and contemplation
Deep awareness helps the soul remain detached from karmic causes.
Spiritual Understanding
In Jain Dharma, karma is removed not by prayer alone, but by pure living, discipline, and inner transformation.The goal is:
- To become free from attachment
- To live with compassion and restraint
- To purify the soul
- To reach liberation, where all karma is completely destroyed
The more peaceful, non-violent, and detached your life becomes, the less karma binds to the soul.