''Samvara'' (''saṃvara'') is one of the ''
tattva
According to various Indian schools of philosophy, ''tattvas'' () are the Classical element, elements or aspects of reality that constitute human experience. In some traditions, they are conceived as an aspect of deity. Although the number of ' ...
'' or the fundamental reality of the world as per the
Jain philosophy
Jain philosophy refers to the ancient Indian philosophical system found in Jainism. One of the main features of Jain philosophy is its dualistic metaphysics, which holds that there are two distinct categories of existence, the living, consciou ...
. It means stoppage—the stoppage of the influx of the material karmas into the soul consciousness. The karmic process in Jainism is based on seven truths or fundamental principles (''tattva'') of Jainism which explain the human predicament.
Out of the seven, the four influxes (''
āsrava''), bondage (''bandha''), stoppage (''saṃvara'') and release (''
nirjarā'')—pertain to the
karmic process.
[
]
Philosophical overview
''Saṃvara'' is the first step in the destruction of accumulated harmful karmas. The world or the '' samsara'' is often described as an ocean and the soul as a boat trying to cross it and reach the shores of liberation. The boat is leaking i.e. karmic particles are getting attached to the soul. Hence the first step is to stop the leak and prevent new water from entering the boat. This is ''saṃvara''. Jains assert that emancipation is not possible as long as the soul remains unreleased from the bondage of these karmas. Release is made possible by ''saṃvara''; that is, the stopping of inflow of new karmas, and ''nirjarā''; the shedding of existing harmful karma through conscious efforts.
Means of ''saṃvara''
''Samvara'' or stoppage of karmic influx is achieved through practice of:
#Three ''guptis'' or three controls of mind, speech and body,
#Five ''samitis'' or observing carefulness in movement, speaking, eating, placing objects and disposing refuse.
#Ten ''dharmas'' or observation of good acts like – forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, contentment, truthfulness, self-control, penance, renunciation, non-attachment and continence.[Bhattacharya, H. S. (1976) p. 46]
#'' Anuprekshas'' or meditation on the truths of this universe.[
#''Pariṣahajaya'', that is, a man on moral path must develop a perfectly patient and unperturbed attitude in the midst of trying and difficult circumstances.][
#''Cāritra'', that is, endeavour to remain in steady spiritual practices.][Bhattacharya, H. S. (1976) p. 47]
See also
*Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle bein ...
*Karma in Jainism
Karma is the basic principle within an overarching psycho-cosmology in Jainism. Human moral actions form the basis of the transmigration of the soul ('). The soul is constrained to a cycle of rebirth, trapped within the temporal world ('), u ...
*Causes of Karma
The karmic process in Jainism is based on seven truths or fundamental principles (''tattva'') of Jainism which explain the human predicament. Out of those, four—influx ( āsrava), bondage (''bandha''), stoppage ('' saṃvara'') and release (' ...
*Tattvarthasutra
''Tattvārthasūtra'', meaning "On the Nature '' ''artha">nowiki/>''artha''.html" ;"title="artha.html" ;"title="nowiki/>''artha">nowiki/>''artha''">artha.html" ;"title="nowiki/>''artha">nowiki/>''artha''of Reality 'tattva'' (also known as ...
References
{{Jainism topics
Jain philosophical concepts