Spirituality

Tattvartha Sutra: 6 key ideas

by Umaswati

The core ideas of Tattvartha Sutra, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

1. IDEA 1 OF 6

   Three jewels together

   Right view, right knowledge and right conduct together form the path to freedom.

   One without the others is incomplete.

2. IDEA 2 OF 6

   Souls support one another

   Its best-known line says living beings exist to help one another.

   This became an emblem of Jainism.

3. IDEA 3 OF 6

   Karma as fine dust

   Karma is pictured as fine matter that sticks to the soul when we act from passion.

   Calm actions attract less.

4. IDEA 4 OF 6

   Five vows

   Nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing, restraint and non-possessiveness: the five vows guide both monks and householders.

5. IDEA 5 OF 6

   Calm the four passions

   Anger, pride, deceit and greed are the four passions that bind us.

   Each is weakened by its opposite: forgiveness, humility, honesty and contentment.

6. IDEA 6 OF 6

   Look from many standpoints

   Any truth can be seen from several standpoints, each partly right.

   Seeing this makes us less certain and more open.