Jain philosophy explains that nine (Śvetāmbara tradition) or seven (Digambara tradition) tattva (truths or fundamental principles) constitute reality. These are:
- jīva – the soul which is characterized by consciousness
- ajīva – the non-soul
- puṇya (alms-deed) – which purifies the soul and provide happiness to others
- pāpa (sinful acts) – which impurifies the soul
- āsrava (influx) – inflow of auspicious and evil karmic matter into the soul.
- bandha (bondage) – mutual intermingling of the soul and karmas.
- saṃvara (stoppage) – obstruction of the inflow of karmic matter into the soul.
- nirjarā (gradual dissociation) – separation or falling-off of parts of karmic matter from the soul.
- mokṣa (liberation) – complete annihilation of all karmic matter (bound with any particular soul).
The knowledge of these realities is said to be essential for the liberation of the soul. The Digambara sect believes in the 7 tattvas only (all those that are listed except puṇya and pāpa), while the Śvetāmbara sect believes in all 9 of them. However, the Digambar sect includes the two tattvas within āsrava and bandha. Therefore, beliefs and philosophies of both the sects remain the same.
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