$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 80

NAV TATTVA PARTI: JIV, AIVA, PUNYA, PÄP, ÄSARVA AND BANDHA Chapter 19 - Nav Tattva Part 1 : Jiv, Ajiva, Punya, Päp, Äsrava,
and Bandha
Jiv, Ajiv, Punya, Päp, Asrava, Bandha, Samvar, Nirjara and Moksha are the nine fundamentals or Nav Tattva.
The nine tattvas or principles are the single most important subjects of Jain philosophy. They deal with the theory of karma, which provides the basis for the path of liberation. Without proper knowledge of these tattvas, a person cannot progress spiritually.
The Nine Tattvas (Principles) are as follows:
Name
Meaning
Jiv Ajiv Äsrava Bandha Punya* Päp* Samvar Nirjarä Moksha
Soul or living being (Consciousness) Non-living substances Influx of karma Bondage of karma Virtue Sin Stoppage of the influx of karma Partial exhaustion of the accumulated karma Total liberation from karma
8
9
*Some scriptures define Punya (virtue) and Päp (sin) not as separate tattvas. They include them in Asrava and Bandha. In reality Punya and Papa are the result of Asrava and Bandha. Hence truly there exist only seven tattvas.
Samyaktva or Samyag-Darshan (Right Faith) is attained when one fully understands the six universal substances and nine fundamentals.
the living bearmas through Ninjară, one liberane should there
The philosophy of Nav Tattva is very practical. Omniscients have explained to us the existence of the living beings, and their relationship with Karmas through these nine aspects. One stops the influx of Karmas through Samvar, and eradicates the Karmas through Nirjarä; and by these two processes, Samvar and Nirjarä, one liberates himself from the karmic bondage, and attains the ultimate goal, the liberation (Moksha). One should therefore pursue the path of Samvar and Nirjarä to be successful in discovering the truth about one's own self.
Jain philosophy views nine fundamentals or Nav Tattva in 3 categories:
Jneya meaning those to be known Heya meaning those to be avoided Upädeya meaning those to be adopted
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JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I