Nav Tattva Prakaran 30 - Punya Tattva 4

NAV TATTVAS
Jain philosophy can be described in various ways, but the most
acceptable tradition is to describe it in terms of the Nav Tattvas or
nine fundamentals. They are:
1) Jiva (aatma)
2) Ajiva (non-living matter)
3) Punya (results of good deeds)
4) Pap (results of bad deeds)
5) Asrava (influx of karmas)
6) Samvar (stoppage of karmas)
7) Bandh (bondage of karmas)
8) Nirjara (eradication of karmas)
9) Moksha (liberation)
1) Jiva: All living beings are called Jivas. jivas have a
consciousness known as the aatma, which is also called the atma (aatma -
chetan). The aatma and body are two different entities. The aatma cannot
be reproduced. It is described as a sort of energy which is
indestructible, invisible, and shapeless. Jainism divides jivas into
five categories ranging from one-sensed beings to five-sensed beings.
The body is merely a home for the aatma. At the time of death, the aatma
leaves the body to occupy a new one. Tirthankaras have said that the
aatma has an infinite capacity to know and perceive. This capacity of
the aatma is not experienced in its present state because of accumulated
karmas.
2) Ajiva: Anything that does not have an aatma is called ajiva. Ajiva
does not have consciousness. Jainism divides ajiva in five broad
categories: dharmastikay (medium of motion), adharmastikay (medium of
rest), akashastikay (space), pudgalastikay (matter), and kala (time).
3) Punya: By undertaking wholesome activities, we acquire punya or
good karmas. Some such activities are providing food or other items to
the needy people, doing charity work, propagating religion, etc. When
punya matures, it brings forth comfort and happiness.
4) Pap: By undertaking bad activities, we incur pap or bad karmas.
Some such activities are being cruel or violent, showing disrespect to
parents or teachers, being angry or greedy and showing arrogance or
indulging in deceit. When pap matures, it brings forth suffering,
misery, and unhappiness.
5) Asrava: The influx of karman particles to the aatma is known as
asrava. It is caused by wrong belief, vowlessness (observing no vows),
passions, negligence, and psychophysical activities. Such and influx of
karmas is facilitated by mental, verbal, or physical activities.
6) Samvar: This is the process by which the influx of karman particles
is stopped. This is achieved by observing samiti (carefulness), gupti
(control), ten fold yati-dharma (Monkshood), and contemplating on the
twelve bhavanas (mental reflections), and parishaha (suffering).
7) Bandh: This refers to the actual binding of karman particles to the
aatma. Bandh occurs when we react any situation with a sense of
attachment or aversion.
8) Nirjara: The process through which we shed karmas is called nirjara.
Karmas can be shed either by passivity or active efforts. When we
passively wait for karmas to mature and to give their results in due
time, it is called Akam Nirjara. On the other side, if we put active
efforts for karmas to mature earlier than supposed to be, it is called
Sakam Nirjara. Sakam Nirjara can be achieved by performing penance,
regretting, asking for forgiveness for the discomfort we might have
caused to someone, or meditation, etc.
9) Moksha: If we rid ourselves of all karmas, we will attain moksha or
liberation.