Philosophy

The Jain religion places great emphasis on Karma. Essentially, it means that all jivas (living beings) reap what they sow. A happy or miserable existence is influenced by actions in previous births. These results may not occur in the same life, and what we sow is not limited to physical actions. Physical, verbal, and mental activities affect future situations.

The backbone of the Jain philosophy, the nine Tattvas (because sometimes are added to the seven: merit (punya) and demerit (papa)) show how to attain moksha. Without knowing them, one cannot progress towards liberation.

Jiva - Souls and living things
Ajiva - Non-living things
Asrava - Influx of karma
Bandha - The bondage of karma
Samvara - The stoppage of influx of karma
Nirjara - Shedding of karma
Moksha - Liberation or Salvation

A simple example: A man rides a wooden boat to reach the other side of the river. Now the man is Jiva, the boat is ajiva. Now the boat has a leak and water flows in. That incoming of water is Asrava and accumulating there is Bandh, now the man tries to save the boat by blocking the hole. That blockage is Samvara and throwing the water outside is Nirjara. Now the man crosses the river and reaches his destination, Moksha.