Papa is the involvement in inauspicious activities. Papa is the fruit of evil and sinful actions. The influx of karmic matter due to evil activities of the mind, body and speech with the potential of producing unpleasant sensations is called Papa or sin. The completion of inauspicious Karma leads to unpleasant circumstances and experiences. Papa arises from voluntarily choosing to perform bad actions and or avoiding good actions. Hence, involvement in activities leading to the accumulation of inauspicious Karmas are to be avoided by all means. Ignorance regarding the true nature of the self is the most injurious of all sinful activities.
Activities of Papa in Jainism
Jain ethics identify that there are 18 types of activities that lead to the bondage of inauspicious Karma, Papa. They include;
1. Cruelty to animals (Jiva Himsa)
2. Untruthfulness (Asatya)
3. Stealing (Adattadan)
4. Unchastity (Abrahmacarya)
5. Covetousness (Aparigraha)
6. Anger (Krodha)
7. Egoism (Maan)
8. Deceit and hypocrisy (Maya)
9. Greed (Lobha)
10. Attraction or attachment (Raga)
11. Aversion (Dvesa)
12. Affliction (Klesa)
13. Slander (Abhyaksana)
14. Making up things (Paisunya)
15. Willful indulgence in pleasure (Rati)
16. Willful indulgence in pain (Arati)
17. Misleading actions (Maya Mrisa)
18. Mistaken notions and perceptions (Mithya Darsana)
This results in 82 types of sufferings relating to all 8 types of Karma.
1. Obstructs 5 Types of Jnana
2. Obstructs 9 Types of Darsana
3. Obstructs 3 Type of Charitra
Exhibits 25 Types of Kasayas and Nokasayas
4. Obstructs 5 Types of Antaraya
5. Exhibits 32 Types of Asubha Nama karma
6. Exhibits 1 Type of Vedana -Asata
7. Leads to 1 Type of Ayusa-Narka
8. Leads to 1 Type of Gotra-Nicha
Hence, these 18 Types of Mistakes leads to 82 Types of Punishments which bind the soul to the cycle of births and deaths.
Elimination of Papa in Jainism
According to Jainism, there are three ways to get free from Papa. They are:
•Knowledge of previous lives
•Knowledge of the mystery behind the cycle of birth and death
•Knowledge of what is conscious mind (Chitta) and how to purify it.
Thus, a person attains emancipation when he/ she is relieved from both Punya and Papa.
