In Jainism, karma is a fundamental principle within an overarching psycho-cosmology, understood not merely as an abstract concept of action and consequence, but as a subtle, physical substance that permeates the universe. This unique perspective shapes the entire Jain understanding of existence, morality, and the path to liberation.
Karma: A Physical Substance
Unlike other philosophies where karma might be viewed as an invisible moral force, Jainism posits that karma consists of extremely fine, invisible particles (karmic matter) that are present everywhere in the cosmos. These particles are attracted to the soul (jīva) based on its actions—thoughts, words, and deeds. Every single action, whether good or bad, intentional or unintentional, causes specific types of karmic particles to adhere to the soul.
The accumulation of this karmic matter is what keeps the soul bound to the cycle of rebirth. It acts like a veil, obscuring the soul's inherent purity, infinite knowledge, and bliss.
The Cycle of Rebirth (Saṃsāra) and the Soul (Jīva)
Human moral actions directly determine the nature of the soul's transmigration (jīva). As karma accumulates, it determines the soul's future existences, its experiences, its lifespan, and its general condition in the world. The soul is constrained to a continuous cycle of rebirth, trapped within the temporal world (saṃsāra). This cycle is driven by the karmic matter attached to the soul, preventing it from realizing its true, pure nature.
Key aspects of the karmic cycle in Jainism include:
- Attraction: Souls attract karmic particles through activities driven by passions like anger, ego, deceit, and greed. Even seemingly neutral actions can attract karma.
- Bondage: Once attracted, these karmic particles become intrinsically bound to the soul, influencing its characteristics and future.
- Maturation: Karma matures over time, leading to specific experiences of pleasure or pain, success or failure, health or illness.
- Shedding: Matured karma eventually falls away from the soul, but new karma is simultaneously attracted, perpetuating the cycle.
The Path to Liberation (Mokṣa)
The ultimate goal in Jainism is to achieve liberation (mokṣa), which means complete freedom from the cycle of rebirth and the attainment of the soul's inherent perfect state. This can only be achieved by shedding all accumulated karma and preventing new karma from attaching to the soul.
The process of shedding karma involves:
- Stopping New Karma (Saṃvara): This is achieved through ethical conduct, self-control, mental discipline, and adherence to the five great vows (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possessiveness). By purifying intentions and actions, the influx of new karmic particles is halted.
- Shedding Existing Karma (Nirjarā): This involves various forms of asceticism, penance, meditation, and spiritual practices that actively burn off accumulated karmic matter. This purification process gradually lightens the soul, allowing it to rise to its natural state of liberation.
When all karmic matter is completely removed, the soul attains mokṣa, residing in eternal bliss, infinite knowledge, and perfect peace, forever free from the cycle of saṃsāra.
Key Concepts in Jain Karma
The relationship between the soul, karma, and liberation can be summarized as follows:
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Karma | Subtle, physical particles attracted to the soul by actions, thoughts, and words, determining future existences and experiences. |
| Jīva (Soul) | The eternal, conscious living essence of every being, inherently pure but obscured and weighed down by accumulated karmic matter, leading to transmigration. |
| Saṃsāra (Rebirth Cycle) | The temporal world of continuous births and deaths across various life forms, driven by the attachment and maturation of karma, trapping the soul in an endless cycle of existence. |
| Mokṣa (Liberation) | The ultimate spiritual goal; the complete freedom of the soul from all karmic bondage, leading to the soul's ascent to its pure, omniscient, and blissful state, permanently released from the cycle of rebirth. |
Jainism's unique understanding of karma as a physical, quantifiable substance emphasizes the profound responsibility of individual actions and provides a clear spiritual framework for achieving ultimate freedom.
