B.6 Nav Tattva Part I
An Interactive Study Guide for Introduction, Äsrav, & Bandh
Introduction to Nav Tattva (Nine Fundamentals)
The Nav Tattva, or nine fundamentals, are the essence of Jain philosophy. They explain the theory of karma, which is the basis for understanding how a soul can achieve liberation (Moksh). By understanding these principles, we can learn how to stop new karma from coming in (Samvar) and how to remove old karma (Nirjarä).
Interactive Nav Tattva Chart
Click on any item with a [+] or [-] to expand or collapse the category.
Punya (Virtue) and Päp (Sin)
As long as a soul is embodied, it's always performing some activity (physical or mental). These activities attract karma.
Punya (Virtue)
Meritorious or virtuous deeds (Shubh) done with good intentions lead to Punya. This results in happy and comfortable situations, like good health and a beautiful body.
Päp (Sin)
Evil or vicious acts (Ashubh) lead to Päp. This results in unhappy and miserable situations, like illness and poverty.
Crucially, it's the intention behind an act, not just the act itself, that determines the type of karma acquired.
The Story of the Two Monks
This story shows how intention is more important than action. Two monks, Suresh muni and Raman muni, came to a flooded river where a young girl was afraid to cross.
- Suresh muni, seeing her distress, helped her across the river, even carrying her when the water got deep. His intention was pure help, with no attachment or passion. He let go of the girl and the thought of her immediately.
- Raman muni objected to the physical contact, but he himself kept thinking about the girl and the act for an hour afterward, creating passionate thoughts in his mind.
In this case, Suresh muni earned Punya for his selfless help, while Raman muni, despite not touching the girl, acquired Päp due to his impure thoughts and intentions.
Äsrav: The Inflow of Karma
Äsrav is the process by which new karmic particles are attracted to the soul. Think of the soul as a boat and karma as water. Äsrav is the holes in the boat that let the water in.
The 5 Causes of Influx (Flashcards)
These are the "holes" that let karma in. Use the buttons to navigate through the flashcards!
Bandh: The Bondage of Karma
Bandh is the actual attachment of karmic particles to the soul. This process determines four key characteristics of the karma, just like when you get medicine.
The 4 Characteristics of Bondage (Flashcards)
Every karma that binds has these four properties. Use the buttons to navigate through the flashcards!