Jain terms and concepts

rdf:langString Jain terms and concepts

rdf:langString Jain philosophy can be described in various ways, but the most acceptable tradition is to describe it in terms of the Tattvas or fundamentals. Without knowing them one cannot progress towards liberation. They are: 1. * Jīva - Souls and living things 2. * Ajiva - Non-living things 3. * Asrava - Influx of karma 4. * Bandha - The bondage of karma 5. * Samvara - The stoppage of influx of karma 6. * Nirjara - Shedding of karma 7. * Moksha - Liberation or Salvation Each one of these fundamental principles are discussed and explained by Jain Scholars in depth. There are two examples that can be used to explain the above principle intuitively. (1) 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.