Jain Karma Philosophy Punya and Pap Karma

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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The above 8 categories of karma are further divided into many sub-categories. Various texts indicate 96, 120, 124 or 157 sub-categories. These sub-categories are also categorized into Punya and Pap karma categories. Punya or Pious Karma
We acquire Punya karma, when we perform or reflect upon virtuous activity with or without a feeling of self-satisfaction and accomplishment. At maturity they produce a favorable environment and circumstances conducive to spiritual life such as human life, healthy body, comfort, moral family etc. A person may use such circumstances to progress himself spiritually or a person may use it to increase his power, fame, wealth, and comfort.
This depends upon the person's free will or self-determination (Purushärtha). Pap or sinful Karma
We acquire Pap or sinful karma when we perform or reflect on any non-virtuous work associated with violence, dishonesty, stealing, not behaving chastely, attachment to worldly objects, anger, conceit, deceit, lust, revenge, and having impure thoughts. At maturity, these Päp karma produce an unfavorable environment and circumstances which may bring misery, discomfort, unhappiness, dissatisfaction, birth in hell or in immoral family. Under such an environment, one rarely progresses spiritually.
Relationship among Ghäti, Aghäti, and Punya, Pap Karma Fundamental Concept of Karma
At every moment, all 8 categories of karma (4 Ghäti karma and 4 Aghäti karma) together produce their results and then these old Karma get separated from the soul.
It is called Akäm Nirjara. • At every moment 7 of 8 categories of new karma are attached to the soul and only
once in a lifetime a soul acquires Ayu (age determining) karma of the next life Only one karma - Mohaniya karma is responsible for the bondage of new karma of all 7 or 8 categories. The Mohaniya karma is classified into two sub-categories:
Darshan Mohaniya (Mithyätva) and
Charitra Mohaniya (Kashaya or non-spiritual conduct together) In the absence of Mohaniya karma, no new karma is attached to the soul even though the other karma such as; Jnänävaraniya, Darshanävaraniya, Antaraya, Vedaniya, näma, Gotra, and Ayu Karma are present. In the absence of Mohaniya Karma, theoretically one can say that Iryäpathic Karma are being attached to the soul due to activities of body, speech, and mind. However, these karma have no power because they attach on 1st moment and get separated on the second moment. Hence, they are not considered hindrance liberation.
Relationship - Ghati/Aghati Karma with Punya/Papa Karma
All Ghäti karma subdue the innate qualities of the soul and hence all four categories of Ghäti karma are always classified as Päp or sinful karma.