tman_and_moksa

SR No.: 020053
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: G N Joshi
Publisher: Gujarat University
Publication Year: 1965
Total Pages: 901
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 271

Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
Jainism
239
those that are born in a state lower than human and inhabiting the bodies of insects, birds, reptiles, ani. mals, or plants, are named as Tiryanc; Manusya are Jiva born as human beings; and those who are born as spirits, whether gods or demons.'
Thus the Jainas make an exhaustive classification of the Jivas on the basis of various physical differences. The division of the Jivas is not a real metaphysical division, it has no bearing on the substantial nature of the Jiva, but these differences are differences of the physical bodies in which the Jiva is embodied. There is a very complicated and de. tailed classification of the Jivas --- but it is not of use for our metaphysical purpose.
Like other Indian Philosophical systems, Jainism also holds that the Jivas in the Samsāri condition are in bondage and that they become Siddhas when they attain liberation or Moksa. According to Jainism, the Jiva remains in bondage so long as it is in contact with the Karmic matter. The Karma matter actually sticks to the Jiva and thus it keeps the Jiva in bondage or bandha. The Jainas call this particular phenomenon of the influx of the Karmic matter into the soul the Asrava (31789). As Jaini says"The actual investing of the soul by the Karmic matter which has flowed into it is called bondage." It is further said in the Dravya Samgraha that the soul gets modified by the influx of the Karma-matter into it. It states —"The modification of the soul by 1 Stevenson Sinclair : The Heart of Jainism, p. 97.
Jaini J. : Outlines of Jainism, p. 39.
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