Jain Journal 1972 04

SR No.: 520026
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1972
Total Pages: 87
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 5 MB

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matter in combination with it. The soul has been undergoing transmigration from beginning-less time, and will always continue to do so until the state of self-realization is attained.
JAIN JOURNAL
On this earth, there are innumerable forms of life, ranging from human beings, the highest type, down to minute organisms. Life is the soul and the soul is the life. No form of life is evolved from dead matter, which is a non-living substance, and it therefore naturally follows that where there is life there is the presence of the life-substance, which is the same thing as the soul. Therefore, all forms of life, whether human, animal or plant-life, are possessed of the soul-substance in varying degrees of evolution or enlightenment.
All living beings on this earth are a combination of soul and matter, but it is the soul which is the living energy. Where the forces of matter exercise the greatest influence over the soul-substance, there we find the lowest development of life, beginning from the one-sensed forms of life up to the five-sensed animals; and then we come to the human being, who, in addition to the five senses, possesses the central organ of mind (or mental equipment) by which he is able to deliberate, reflect and
reason.
The higher forms of animals are also apparently possessed of a mind organ in a very crude and undeveloped state; they know in a limited way and they quickly respond to intelligent treatment by human beings, but are unable to reason or deliberate for themselves: consequently they live only in the senses.
In the human kingdom, we find many varying degrees of enlightenment. The highest and noblest characters are those who have conquered their desiring nature (passions) to a great degree. These souls are relieved or lightened to great extent of the crippling forces of matter, hence the term 'enlightened'. In these persons the soul displays much of its natural beauty and power.
On the other hand, there are those who continually give way to their innumerable desires and probably evolve out an animal nature. This kind of nature possesses the four associated passions of greed, anger, pride and deceit, in their worst forms. Greed, of course, is but another name for desire, and includes all kinds of bodily appetites. These unfortunate souls are doomed to find themselves, after this life, in conditions which suit their passionate or animal nature, which means