What are the karma

In Jainism, karma refers to a subtle form of matter that attaches to the soul (jīva) as a result of its actions, thoughts, and intentions. Unlike in some other Indian philosophies where karma is seen as an invisible force or moral law, Jainism teaches that karma is a physical substance that binds to the soul and obscures its true nature of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

There are eight main types of karma (aṣṭa karma) in Jain philosophy, divided into two broad categories:

1. Ghātiyā Karmas (Destructive Karmas): These obstruct the inherent qualities of the soul.

- Jñānāvaraṇīya (Knowledge-obscuring karma) - Darśanāvaraṇīya (Perception-obscuring karma) - Mohanīya (Deluding karma) - Antarāya (Obstructive karma)

1. Aghātiyā Karmas (Non-destructive Karmas): These relate to the soul’s worldly experience but do not directly obscure its essential nature.

- Vedanīya (Feeling-producing karma, causes pleasure and pain) - Nāma (Body-determining karma, determines physical characteristics) - Gotra (Status-determining karma, determines social status) - Āyu (Life-span-determining karma, determines duration of life in a particular birth)

Jainism teaches that liberation (moksha) is achieved when all karmic particles are completely shed from the soul, allowing it to attain its pure, original state. This is accomplished through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (the three jewels or Ratnatraya) and by practicing non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), chastity (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).