$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

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

Page 50

PHILOSOPHY
B06 - Nav Tattva Part I: Jiva, Ajiva, Punya, Päp, Äsrava
B06 - Nav Tattva Part I: Jiva, Ajiva, Punya, Päp, Äsrava 01 Introduction Nav-tattva or nine fundamentals are the essence of Jain philosophy. They deal with the theory of karma, which provides the basis for the path of liberation. The karma that binds with our soul are not only due to the actions of our body, mind, and speech, but more importantly, due to the intentions behind our actions. It explains that the principle governing the successions of life is karma. Hence it provides a rational explanation to the apparently inexplicable phenomena of birth and death, happiness and misery, inequalities in mental and physical attainments, and the existence of different species of living beings. Without proper knowledge of these fundamentals (Tattvas), a person cannot progress spiritually. The philosophy of Nav Tattva is very practical. Tirthankars have explained to us the existence of the living beings, and their relationship with Karma through these nine aspects. One stops the influx of Karma (Samvar), and eradicates the past Karma (Nirjara); and by these two processes, Samvar and Nirjarä, one liberates himself from the karmic bondage, and attains the ultimate goal, the liberation - Moksha. We should therefore pursue the path of Samvar and Nirjarä to be successful in discovering the truth about our own self. The philosophy of Nav Tattva is very practical. The Tirthankars have explained the nature of the substances and their interactions through nine or from some perspective seven principles. 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. Name
Meaning
Soul or living being (Consciousness) Ajiva
Non-living substances 3 Asrava
Influx of karma Bandha
Bondage of karma Punya*
Virtue Päp*
Sin Samvar
Stoppage of the influx of karma Nirjarä
Partial exhaustion of the accumulated karma 9 Moksha
Total liberation from karma
Jiva
2
*Some scriptures do not consider Punya (good deeds) and Päp (bad deeds) as separate Tattvas. They include them in Äsrava and Bandha. In reality, Punya and Päp are the result of Asrava and Bandha. Hence, truly there are only seven tattvas. Jain philosophy views nine fundamentals or Nav Tattva in three categories:
Jneya meaning those to be known Jiva and Ajiva Heya meaning those to be avoided
Asrava and Bandha** Upädeya meaning those to be adopted Samvar, Nirjara and Moksha
**Päp is Heya and Punya is Upädeya for the beginners and Heya when associated with ego for spiritually advanced persons.
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015