The Doctrine of Karma & Lesya – The Jaina Perspective
By Kokila Hemchand Shah
Summary
This article provides a detailed exposition of two interrelated concepts in Jain philosophy: karma and lesya (the coloring of the soul). The author begins by defining karma as a subtle form of matter that binds to the soul due to passions and activities, thereby determining the soul’s future experiences. Karma is classified according to its nature, duration, intensity and quantity, and it is responsible for worldly conditions such as birth, lifespan and spiritual development. The article then introduces lesya, a Jain concept describing the psychic ‘color’ or quality of a soul based on its mental state and actions. There are six types of lesya—black, blue, grey, red, yellow and white—ranging from the most impure to the purest. Each lesya corresponds to a specific attitude and behavior; for example, a person with a black lesya is dominated by hatred and violence, while one with a white lesya embodies compassion and equanimity. The article emphasises that lesya has practical ethical implications; by cultivating virtuous conduct and controlling passions, one can purify the soul and progress toward liberation.
Conclusion
The article concludes that karma and lesya are central to the Jain worldview because they explain why souls experience diverse conditions. By recognising that karmic particles cling to the soul due to passion‑driven actions, and that the soul’s quality is reflected in its lesya, one realises the importance of cultivating right conduct, nonviolence and detachment. The six lesyas serve as both diagnostic tools and guides for spiritual progress, reminding practitioners that liberation requires constant vigilance and self‑purification.