Types of Karma

According to Jain karma theory, there are eight main types of karma (Prikriti) which are categorized into the ‘harming’ and the ‘non-harming’; each divided into four types.

The harming karmas (ghātiyā karmas) directly affect the soul powers by impeding its perception, knowledge and energy, and also brings about delusion.

These harming karmas are:

• darśanāvaraṇa (perception obscuring karma),
• jñānavāraṇa (knowledge obscuring karma),
• antarāya (obstacles creating karma) and
• mohanīya (deluding karma).

The non-harming category (aghātiyā karmas) is responsible for the reborn soul's physical and mental circumstances, longevity, spiritual potential and experience of pleasant and unpleasant sensations.

These non-harming karmas are:

• nāma (body determining karma),
• āyu (life span determining karma),
• gotra (status determining karma) and
• vedanīya (feeling producing karma) respectively.

Different types of karmas thus affect the soul in different ways as per their nature.

Each of these types has various sub-types.

Tattvārthasūtra generally speaks of 148 sub-types of karmas in all.

These are:

5 of jñānavaraṇa,

9 of darśanavaraṇa,

2 of vedanīya,

28 of mohanīya

4 of āyuṣka,

93 of nāma,

2 of gotra, and

5 of antarāya.

My knowledge of Karma is currently tied to learnings from Jainism.

The synopsis in this posit is based on the materials available from free sites and are sole 3rd party content.

By means of this blog I tend to keep them in one central place for personal reference.