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Concepts

Anekntavda

Sydvda Nayavda

Jain Cosmology

Ahimsa Karma

Dharma Nirvana

Kevala Jna Moka

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Navatattva (Nine or

seven categories)

Persons

Ancient

Kundakunda

Samantabhadra

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Umsvmi Siddhasena

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Medieval

Aklanka Haribhadra

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Modern

Kanji Swami Pt.

Sukhll Dr.

Mahendrakumr

Nyycrya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nirjara is one of the nine fundamental principles, or Tattva in Jain philosophy, and

refers to the shedding or destruction of accumulated karmas from the atma (soul),

essential for breaking free from samsara, the cycle of birth-death and rebirth, by

achieving moksha, liberation.

[1][2]

Literally meaning "falling off", the concept is described first in chapter 9 of the

classical Jain text, Tattvartha Sutra (True nature of Reality) written by Acharya

Umasvati, in 2nd century CE, the only text authoritative in both Svetambara and

Digambara sects of Jainism.[3]

Later it also finds mention in Dravyasamgraha

(Compendium of substances), a 10th century Jain text by Acharya Nemichandra. [4]

1 Preparation

2 Types of Nirjara

2.1 Savipaka Nirjara

2.2Avipaka Nirjara

2.2.1Bahya tapas

2.2.2Antaraga tapas

3 See also

4 Notes

5 References

6 External links

Nirjara is preceded by stoppage of karma accumulation, orsamvara, thereby ending

asrava or influx of karma which leads to bandha or bondage due kasaya or passions

of the soul, namely, krodha (anger), lobha (greed), mana (ego) and maya (deceit),

besides raaga (attachment) and dvesa (hatred).Dravyasamgraha explains that the

soul becomes dim due to the dust of karmic matter, thus nirjara itself offers a way to

clear the soul, and ultimately leading to moksha, liberation.[5]

Nirjara is of two types,Bhava Nirjara, modification of soul which leads to

separation of karmic matter from the soul, andDhrvaya Nirjara, actual separation

of karmic matter from the soul. In turn, bhava nirjara is of two types, Savipaka and

vipaka.[5]

Savipaka Nirjara

Savipaka - Passive Method - Also known asAkam or unintentionalNirjara, equanimous submission to the

fruition of karma, and involves natural maturing of past Karma, in due course of time and experiencing the

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results, both good and bad with equanimity. If the fruits of the past karmas are not received without

attachment or agitation then the soul earns fresh karmic bondages. It is also not possible for the soul to know

before-hand when and which karma will start to produce results and therefore require good discipline in

practicing equanimity under all circumstances.

This passive method of exhaustion of karmic matter around the soul, after enjoyment of its fruits, is

compared with emptying of a pond through evaporation, while water channels are still pouring in. Naturally

it is a slow method, as by the time karmas become ripe and are exhausted, new karmas fill in, as karmic

matter is constantly pouring into the karma sharira (karmic body), through asrava, influx of karma. Thus to

achieve liberation, the active method of purging off karma, avipaka nirjara is advised.[1][6]

vipaka Nirjara

Avipaka - Active Method - Also known as Sakam or intentionalNirjara, it involves individual exertion of

ascetic practices, by practicing internal and external austerities, like penances or tapas, literally meaning

heat, so as to accelerate the ripening process as well as reducing the effects produced. This is recommended

approach as it prepares and conditions the soul and reminds it to be vigilant. Tapas is of two kinds, bahya or

external, and antaranga or internal.

[1][6]

Bahya tapas

TheBahya orbahiranga tapa, external austerities are meant to discipline the sensual cravings, and prepares

the person for internal austerities, which come next.

Anasana - Fasting, purifies sense organs, lessens sens of attachment to bodily enjoyments1.

Avamodarya orAlpahara - Eating less than one's normal diet, removed laziness/lethargy and brings in

fresh energy to the mind

2.

Vritti parisankhyana orVrita sankshepa - Restriction of certain kinds or number of food3.

Rasa parityaga -Daily renunciation of one or more of 6 kinds ofRasas delicacies: ghee (butter,clarified butter), milk, curd, sugar, salt, oil. Abstention from tasty and stimulating food

4.

Vivikta shayyasana - Sleeping in a lonely place, practicing solitude and introspection5.

Kaya-klesha - Bodily Endurance, practicing body austerities to get over attachment to bodily comfort[1][7]

6.

At some places, alternative to this list include,Ichhanirodha, control of desire for food and material

things.[8]

ntaraga tapas

The antaranga tapa, internal austerities which follow are:

Prayaschita - Atonement/penance for sinful acts1.

Vinaya - Practice politeness and humility2.

Vaiyavritya - Service to others, especially monks, nuns, elders and the weaker souls without any

expectations in return

3.

Swadhyaya - Self-study, scriptural study, questioning and expanding the spiritual knowledge4.

Vyutsarga - Abandonment of passions - especially anger, ego, deceit and greed, distinction between

body and soul

5.

Dhyana - Meditation and contemplation6.

All the first five internal austerities and all six external austerities are preparatory steps for the practice of

dhyana, which is the primary cause of moksha.[5]

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For layman the journey begins with practicing the Triple gems of Jainism, Ratnatraya, namely Right View or

perception (Samyak Darshana), Right knowledge (Samyak Gyana) and Right conduct (Samyak Charitra),

which constitute the path to liberation. The monks in Jainism, who have dedicated their lives to achieve,

moksha and acquiring theKevala Jnana, absolute knowledge, however go on to take the fiveMahavrata,

literally Great Vows, of self control:

Non-violence (Ahimsa)1.

Truth (Satya)2.

Non-stealing (Asteya)3.

Chastity (Brahmacharya)4.

Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) .[5]5.

Apart from that, the monks also practices, three Guptis and five Samitis. Three Restraints (Gupti), i.e.,

Control of the mind (Managupti), Control of speech (Vacanagupti), Control of body (Kayagupti); and Five

Carefulness (Samiti) i.e. Carefulness while walking (Irya Samiti), Carefulness while communicating (Bhasha

Samiti), Carefulness while eating (Eshana Samiti), Carefulness while handling their fly-whisks, water gourds,

etc. (Adana Nikshepana Samiti), Carefulness while disposing of bodily waste matter (Pratishthapana Samiti)

According to Umaswati in Tattvartha Sutra 10.1.2,Kevala Jnana, absolute knowledge or Omniscience,comes only after, the Mohaniya karma are first destroyed, followed by Jnanavaraniya karma, Darsanavarana

karma and Antaraya karma. However after attaining theKevala jnana, the causes of bandha, bondage end,

thus the influx of Karma, asrava, ends as well, thus the person is freed from the Aghatiya karmas namely,

Ayu karma, Nama karma, Gotra karma and Vedaniya karma, which cause worldly existence. Emptied of

karma the person attains liberation.[9]

Types of Karma (Jainism)

^ abcdSingh, p. 45251.

^ Dasgupta, 1922.

^ Jaini, p. 823.

^ Nemichandra, p. 934.

^ abcdNemichandra, p. 945.

^a

b

Jainism. p. 506.

^ Sanghvi, Jayatilal S.. "A Treatise On Jainism"

(http://www.sacred-texts.com/jai/treatise.txt) .

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jai/treatise.txt.

7.

^ Nine Tattvas: 8. Nirjara (http://www.sacred-

texts.com/jai/9tatvas.txt)

8.

^ Nemichandra, p. 979.

Nemichandra, Siddhantachakravarti; Sarat Chandra Ghoshal, Brahmadeva (1989).Dravya-sagraha

of Nemichandra Siddhantachakravarti: English translation with Prakrit gths (text) and Sanskrit

chhys (renderings) and padapha (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=svi0gpwC-5sC&pg=PA93&

dq=Nirjara&cd=1#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false) . Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-0634-4.

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=svi0gpwC-5sC&pg=PA93&dq=Nirjara&cd=1#v=onepage&

q=Nirjara&f=false.

Dasgupta, Surendranath (1992). "Jain Philosophy" (http://books.google.co.in

/books?id=PoaMFmS1_lEC&pg=PA192&dq=Nirjara&cd=3#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false) .Ahistory of Indian philosophy, Volume 1. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-0412-0.

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=PoaMFmS1_lEC&pg=PA192&dq=Nirjara&cd=3#v=onepage&

q=Nirjara&f=false.

ara - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia file:///C:/Users/akmoe/Documents/JAINISM/Nirjara.htm

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Singh, Narendra (2001). "Nirjara" (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=GFzOlP9NtNUC&

pg=PA4525&dq=Nirjara&cd=2#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false) .Encyclopaedia of Jainism, Volume

1. Anmol Publications. ISBN 81-261-0691-3. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=GFzOlP9NtNUC&

pg=PA4525&dq=Nirjara&cd=2#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false.

Jaini, Padmanabh S. (1998). The Jaina path of purif ication (http://books.google.co.in

/books?id=wE6v6ahxHi8C&pg=PA113&dq=Nirjara&lr=&cd=42#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false) .

Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-1578-5. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=wE6v6ahxHi8C&

pg=PA113&dq=Nirjara&lr=&cd=42#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false.

Jainism: Short Essays on Jain Philosophy (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=pF8TaM1ftOkC&

pg=PA50&dq=Nirjara&lr=&cd=17#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false) . Forgotten Books. 2008.

ISBN 1-60506-729-6. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=pF8TaM1ftOkC&pg=PA50&dq=Nirjara&

lr=&cd=17#v=onepage&q=Nirjara&f=false.

Nine Tattvas (Principles) (http://www.sacred-texts.com/jai/9tatvas.txt) Complied by Pravin K. Shah,

Jain Study Center of North Carolina (sacred texts)

Nirjara or Dissipation (http://salmun.cwahi.net/wrel/rjain/jbks/jipar/jipar.htm#33)

Jainism Simplified - Nirjara (http://www.umich.edu/%7Eumjains/jainismsimplified/chapter16.html)

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