Source Book in Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 001263
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Devendramuni
Publisher: Tarak Guru Jain Granthalay
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 590
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 10 MB

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A SOURCE-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
by one-third of the body of the soul just previously occupied by it at the time of Mokṣa.1
It should be remembered that though the quality of the contraction and the expansion is inherent in the soul but it gets expression due to the karmic body formed by the accumulations of particles of karma. The liberated soul has no body and therefore there is no question of contraction or expansion. The conception of the ultimate size of the soul just at the time of Mokşa is based on the conception of the size of the body that it last occupied. The soul has no form but due to its extension in space, it is described as having form.
The Jaina conception of Mokşa is different from other conceptions in Indian thought. This theory is a special contribution of the Jainas. This is because, the Jaina conception implies the pervasive quality according to the body; while according to some thinkers the soul is described as atomic in nature. This also gives a clear picture of the nature of the soul in the state of Mokşa.
According to the Jainas, the liberated soul has infinite knowledge and bliss because of its inherent nature of consciousness and bliss. The eternity of the soul is not the static eternity as in some systems of Indian philosophy, but it expresses the inherent nature of infinite energy. This conception of the nature of the soul in Mokṣa is a special contribution of the Jainas. It agrees with the Nyaya-Vaiseşika conception of the eternity of the soul so far as it refers to the soul as substance. In regard to the inherent characteristics of the soul as infinite knowledge, bliss and infinite energy, it is nearer to the Sankhya conception of the Puruşa. The Buddhist schools of philosophy of Yogacara posits the conception of Vijñāna as a centre of self and in the state of Nirvāņa it is referred to the 'alaya vijñāna' the storehouse of consciousness. In this sense of psychic energy of the soul, Jainas have a common point, but the Jainas do not accept the Kṣaṇikavāda of the Buddhists.
THE STATE OF MUKTI (MUKTI-STHÄNA)
There is a fundamental question regarding the state of the soul
1 Uttaradhyayana 36-65.