Main Points in Jainism

Fundamental Principles (Tattvas)

Jain philosophy can be described in various ways, but the most acceptable tradition is to describe it in terms of the Tattvas or fundamentals. Without knowing them one cannot progress towards liberation. They are: Each one of these fundamental principles are discussed and explained by Jain Scholars in depth. There are two examples that can be used to explain the above principle intuitively. (1) A man rides a wooden boat to reach the other side of the river. Now the man is Jiva, the boat is ajiva. Now the boat has a leak and water flows in. That incoming of water is Asrava and accumulating there is Bandh, Now the man tries to save the boat by blocking the hole. That blockage is Samvara and throwing the water outside is Nirjara. Now the man crosses the river and reaches his destination, Moksha.

Nine substances

Nine substances are explained as: Consider a family living in a house. One day, they were enjoying a fresh cool breeze coming through their open doors and windows of the house. However, the weather suddenly changed to a terrible dust storm. The family, realizing the storm, closed the doors and windows. But, by the time they could close all the doors and windows some of the dust had been blown into the house. After closing the doors and the windows, they started clearing the dust that had come in to make the house clean again. This simple scenario can be interpreted as follows:

Jīvas (souls)

There are five classes of beings: One-sensed beings (Ekendriya Jiva) have: Two-sensed beings (Beindriya Jiva) have: Three-sensed beings (Trindriya Jiva) have: Four-sensed beings (Caturendriya Jiva) have: Five-sensed beings (Pañcendriya Jiva) have: There are two sub-categories among the five-sensed beings: Sanjñi - With mind; Asanjñi - Without mind

Vitalities

A prana (vitalities) is the inherent ability of a jiva to perform a certain act. The 10 pranas are as under: (It is said that any living being lives only as long as his/her Ayushyabala Prana permits him/her to.)

Types of Kaya (Bodies)

Indriyas

The Five Indriyas, or 5 senses are:

Paryaptis

Paryaptis or sufficiencies, which are determined by the presence of karmin particles in each soul at the time the soul is taking a new birth. Paryaptis are of 6 types:

Types of physique

Worldly souls (souls that have not attained liberation) are accompanied by 5 types of physique:

Yogas

The fifteen Yogas (sum total of activities) are made up of four Manoyogas (mental activities), four Vacanayogas (verbal activities), and seven Kayayogas (physical activities). The four Manoyogas are: The four Vacanayogas are: The 7 Kayayogas are:

Karma theory

The Jain religion places great emphasis on Karma. Essentially, it means that all jivas reap what they sow. A happy or miserable existence is influenced by actions in previous births. These results may not occur in the same life, and what we sow is not limited to physical actions. Physical, verbal, and mental activities affect future situations. Karma has long been an essential component of Jainism, and other Indian religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. It is believed generally that an omniscient Tirthankar can foresee all things, long before science.

Types of Karmas

Components of Samyaktva

Bhāvanā (Mental Contemplations)

Sinful activities

Jains observe the vow of ahimsa and refrain from all violence. It is recommend that sinful activities should be eradicated. Some sinful activities are as under: