Reality’, defined in the seven principles that form the basis of the Jain system of thought:

• jīva – sentient entities
• ajīva – non-sentient entities
• āsrava – influx of karma into the soul
• bandha – bonding of karma with the soul
• saṃvara – stopping the inflow of karma
• nirjarā – progressive elimination of karma
• mokṣa – liberation.

This list comes to nine items when good action – puṇya – and bad action – pāpa – are counted separately. One who has reached right insight – samyag-darśana – believes the tattvas as an item of faith.