From western interpretations (fairly unbiased) of the basic principles of Jainism. If you wish to learn about Karma, from the most rigorously definitive students of that concept, who have been researching the ramifications appurtenant thereunto for 8.4 MILLION YEARS - since the first "Jina" (a representative of one of the ancient "Custodial God Races" that bioengineered Humanity, said to be 'giants') appeared on the subcontinent - longer than ANY current religious tradition has been practiced - these are the experts.
Believe them or not, I avow that their religious practices are capable of freeing all mankind from the oppression of 'false personalities' by Essence, a revolution capable of destroying the very architecture of "Dharma" a system of enforced reincarnation to serve the cruel and unusual desires of the 'True Personality', and Essence - that forces false personalities to murder, and be murdered; rape, and be raped; abuse children, and be abused as children - the sickest most degraded experiences known to sentient beings are forced on us EACH lifetime, just 'grist for the mill', till we have satisfied the evil intents of Essence:
NEVER FORGET: THE MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL ABOUT JOAN OF ARC "BURNING IN AGONY, WHICH MADE HER ESSENCE ECSTATIC"!!!!!
"Everyone is bound within the universe by one's karma -- the accumulated evil deeds that one has done. (The Jainist definition of karma differs from the Hindu and Buddhist meaning. To a follower of Jainism, all karma is bad. To Hindus and Buddhists, karma can result from a good or a bad deed.)
Moksha (liberation from an endless succession of lives through reincarnation) is achieved by enlightenment, which can be attained only through asceticism.
Jainism is based on three general principles called the three Ratnas (jewels).
They are:
Right faith.
Right knowledge.
Right action.
They are expected to follow five principles of living:
Ahimsa: "non violence in all parts of a person -- mental, verbal and physical."
Committing an act of violence against a human, animal, or even a vegetable generates negative karma which in turn adversely affects one's next life. Satya: speaking truth; avoiding falsehood
Asteya: to not steal from others
Brahma-charya: (soul conduct); remaining sexually monogamous to one's spouse only
Aparigraha: detach from people, places and material things. Avoiding the collection of excessive material possessions, abstaining from over-indulgence, restricting one's needs, etc."
- from
http://www.religioustolerance.org/jainism.htm "Jainism Sacred Narratives
Ahimsa Paramo Dharma: non-violence is the highest religion. Violence and attachment attract karma, a sticky physical substance that clings to human souls, binding them to samsara. Jains can attain liberation by burning off these karmas through strict adherence to non-violence.
Jainism Ultimate Reality and Divine Beings
Jainism postulates no creator god. The unfortunate union of soul and matter propels the cycle of samsara. Tirthankaras are enlightened human teachers attributed with supernatural characteristics. The universe consists of three realms: hellish; earthly/heavenly; and that of siddhas (liberated souls).
Jainism Human Nature and the Purpose of Existence
Every sentient being has a soul mired in material karmic particles that block its spiritual path. Action, particularly action with attachment, attracts karma to the soul throughout successive reincarnations. Karma must be burned off in order to reach liberation.
Jainism Suffering and the Problem of Evil
All sentient beings do harm simply by existing. This harmful action and the karmas it generates are at the root of all suffering. The evil and violence inherent to this existence prove to Jains the absence of a creator god.
Jainism Afterlife and Salvation
Following liberation one's jiva ascends to the apex of the universe to join other siddhas. One can ascend to a heavenly realm due to good karmas accrued, but must return to a human incarnation in order to achieve final liberation."
- from
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Jainism/Beliefs.html