Basic Principles Of Jainism

Author(s): Narayan Lal Kachhara
Publisher: Narayan Lal Kachhara

Page 34

5
THE SEVEN Tattvas or FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
The Karma doctrine is a fundamental part of Jaina philosophy, as it appears to be of most other religions; but nowhere the physical nature of the karma has been asserted with such stress as in Jainism. The doctrine has been developed with minuteness in detail, careful classification and precision in statements. The conception has been most realistic and does credit to the most methodical modern system.
It is necessary to remember that according to Jaina Metaphysics, the Universe is divided into two everlasting, uncreated, and independent categories of substances: Jiva (the soul) and Ajiva (non-soul). The link between the soul and non-soul is karma. Mention has already been made of the characteristics of the soul and how it becomes entangled into the subtle refined particles of karmic matter. The nature and kinds of karmas have been the subject-matter of the previous chapter.
Seven Tattvas
Tattvas are the fundamental truths and are the principles that govern the life of a being. There are seven tattvas (1) jiva or the soul, (2) ajiva or the non-soul, (3) asrava or influx of karma, (4) bandha or bondage of karma, (5) samvara or stoppage of karma, (6) nirjara or shedding of karma, and (7) moksa or liberation.
Asrava or Inflow of Karma
In view of the previous discussion of the real characteristics of the first two tattvas viz., the soul and the non-soul, we proceed to discuss the third tattva of Asrava or inflow of the karmas into the soul. Asrava is that process through which the karmic matter enters the soul.12
Asrava is of two types: bhavasrava and dravyasrava. While the former is concerned with the though-activities of the soul, the latter is concerned with the influx of the Karmic matter itself. The causes of the former are the activities of the five senses, mind and speech like impure attachments. This may be likened to entry of water into a boat through a hole when the boat is floating over water. Dravyasrava is the matter which is grasped by the impure thought-activities and is made to attach to the soul.
The bhavasrava is classified into five categories: mithyatva (delusion), avirati (lack of control), pramada (inadvertence), yoga (activity) and kashaya (passions). Mithyatva is due to
12 Etymologically, the word Asrava in Jaina philosophy means the influx of the matter into the soul, though the Buddhists use its corresponding word in Pali 'asava' as being synonymous with 'klesha' meaning sin, passion, depravity or corruption.
34