Answer

In Jain Dharma, karma is a very subtle form of matter that attaches to the soul because of one’s actions, passions, thoughts, and intentions.

Karma is not only “good or bad luck.” It is a real bondage of the soul that affects:

• birth and death
• happiness and suffering
• knowledge and ignorance
• spiritual progress
• the type of body, lifespan, status, and experiences one receives

Explanation

According to Jain philosophy, every soul is naturally pure, full of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. But karmic particles cover these qualities.

Karma binds to the soul mainly because of:

• Mithyātva – wrong belief
• Avirati – lack of self-restraint
• Pramāda – carelessness
• Kaṣāya – passions such as anger, pride, deceit, and greed
• Yoga – activities of mind, speech, and body

When we act with attachment, hatred, violence, ego, or greed, karma binds more strongly. When we act with awareness, non-violence, detachment, and self-control, karmic bondage reduces.

Jain Dharma explains karma in eight main types:

• Jñānāvaraṇīya karma – obscures knowledge
• Darśanāvaraṇīya karma – obscures perception
• Vedanīya karma – causes pleasure and pain
• Mohanīya karma – causes delusion and attachment
• Āyuṣya karma – determines lifespan
• Nāma karma – determines body and physical condition
• Gotra karma – determines status or family condition
• Antarāya karma – obstructs energy and ability

Spiritual Understanding

The purpose of Jain Dharma is to stop new karma from entering the soul and to shed old karma.

This is done through:

• Samyak Darshan – right faith
• Samyak Jñān – right knowledge
• Samyak Chāritra – right conduct
• Ahimsa, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness
• Tapasya, meditation, repentance, forgiveness, and detachment

When all karma is completely destroyed, the soul attains moksha, a state of perfect liberation.

Takeaway

In Jainism, karma is the subtle matter that binds the soul due to passions and actions. Spiritual practice means purifying the soul by stopping and removing karma until the soul reaches its natural liberated state.