Comparing karma in Advaita Vedanta school of thought in Hinduism and Śvetāmbara in Jainism

Karma which means the law of action and reaction in the Sanskrit is one of the most important common doctrines in Indian religions. This teaching has an specific position in two Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism-and in Śvetāmbara- a sect of Jainism. Karma is considered as the most important obstacle of soul’s salvation in the both religions’ teaching. However, they consider soul as the essence which has a pure self-awareness and Karma as the cause of eliminating its qualities, there is different in their ideas. Advaita Vedanta call soul as Atman which is unique and the same of Brahman. Moreover, the knowledge of this fact can cause to eliminate Karma. In contrary, Śvetāmbara is non-theism. They believe that soul –which is multiplicity and called Jiva has absolute inherent perfection and happiness. Jainism doesn’t consider Karma as supernatural being. In their point of view Karma is a material affair which comes to existence by the influence of Pudgala in the soul. On the other hand, Advaita thinkers consider Karma as non-material and supernatural which is not seen able, and good and bad deeds are the reason of existing of good or bad Karma. Moreover, Śvetāmbara considers every deed as reason of existing of Karma. As conclusion it can be said that Śvetāmbara consider no deeds as the removal of Karma. Not doing any action (Samvara) and removing the effects of the previous Karma by doing asceticism (Nirjara) are the only Savior ways, while Advaita consider universal soul (Atma Janana) as the only Savior way.