In Jainism, "upādāna" (उपादान) generally means "substratum," "material cause," or "substance." While in broad Indian philosophical usage, it often refers to the material cause of something, in Jain thought, it has a nuanced application, especially concerning the soul's internal dispositions (bhāvas).

Upādāna as Internal Dispositions (Bhāvas):

• The soul (jīva) is inherently pure, possessing infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. However, due to ignorance and delusion, it develops various internal dispositions or tendencies (bhāvas).
• These bhāvas—such as attachment (rāga), aversion (dveṣa), ignorance (mithyātva), and passions (kaṣāyas)—act as upādāna or the internal material cause for the bondage of karma (karmabandha).
• When the soul engages in activities with these tainted bhāvas, it attracts and binds karmic particles (pudgala) to itself. Thus, upādāna, in this context, refers to the soul's own internal state that becomes the instrumental cause for bondage or liberation.

Spiritual Progress:

• Conversely, when the soul cultivates pure bhāvas—such as right faith (samyak darśana), right knowledge (samyak jñāna), and right conduct (samyak cāritra)—these become the upādāna for spiritual progress and eventual liberation (mokṣa).
• Jain texts emphasize the transformation of internal upādāna from impure to pure, through practices like self-restraint, meditation, and ethical conduct.

Summary: In Jainism, "upādāna" can refer to the soul's internal dispositions (bhāvas), which are crucial in determining whether the soul binds new karma or progresses spiritually. Impure upādāna leads to further bondage, while pure upādāna leads to liberation. This highlights the importance of self-awareness and conscious cultivation of positive bhāvas in Jain practice.