In Jain Dharma, the soul is called a jiva (jiv). Here is the basic idea in simple terms:

• What it is: The jiva is the living soul, pure consciousness. It is separate from the body and mind and is inherently blissful and aware.
• Not the body: The jiva occupies a body for a time, but it is not the body itself. When the body dies, the jiva migrates to a new body based on its karma.
• Karma and bondage: The jiva accumulates karma through thoughts, speech, and actions. This karma sticks to the soul and affects its future births and experiences.
• Goal: The aim is to burn or shed all karma (moksha), so the jiva remains forever in its pure, liberated state, free from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

Differences between Digambara and Śvetāmbara:

• Both traditions affirm that the jiva is a pure, conscious soul and that liberation is the ultimate goal.
• They may differ in metaphysical details about the nature of liberation and the attributes of siddhas (liberated souls), but the core idea of the jiva as a pure, conscious soul that binds and burns karma remains the same.

If you’d like, I can share a short traditional description or a brief sutra verse about jiva from Jain scriptures, with a simple, authentic meaning.