Jaina Mysticism and Other Essays

SR No.: 006933
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 166
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 135

Paryāyas) since an indeterminable past thereby it has identified itself with attachment and aversion. The consequence of which is that it is the doer of right and wrong actions and the enjoyer of their results. We may point out in passing that the transcendental self occupies itself with essential modifications (Svabhāva Paryāyas) and goes beyond the duality of attachment and aversion and is the doer of detached actions and the enjoyer of pure knowledge and bliss. It may be noted here that the relation between the empirical self and the transcendental one is one of identity-cum-difference; i.e., there is.metaphysical identity between the two states (empirical and transcendental) of the same self', but the difference is also undeniable in respect of the Vibhāvas which have been persisting since an infinite past. The empirical self is potentially transcendental",, though this transcendental state of existence is not actualised at present; hence the distinction is incontrovertible.
Now the empirical self with non-essential modifications (Vibhāva Paryāyas) from beginningless past is given to us in the-mundane form. These selves (Jīvas) are infinite in number. Kundakunda classifies empirical selves into five kinds, onesensed to five sensed Jīvas (living beings)".
The lowest in the grade of existence are the one-sense Jivas. These one-sensed Jivas admit of five-fold classification, namely, the earthbodied, water bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied and, lastly, vegetable-bodied selves. These Jivas possess only pleasure-pain consciousness13. Two sensed to five-sensed Jivas possess end-consciousness14. These living beings are constantly engaged in action, which is by its very nature directed to some end, conscious or unconscious. In other words, every action is impregnated with some conscious or unconscious end. It follows from this that actions with unconscious end are absolutely determined having no choice, whereas the actions with conscious end involve freedom of choice. The former are excluded from the scope of ethics, since they are non-moral
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Jaina Mysticism and other essays