Jain Journal 2008 04 No 04

SR No.: 520270
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 46
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 15

Veer Sagar Jain: ConveptofSoul/Self(Atma) in Jain philosophy
perverse, then also it proves the existence of soul, as an unknown or less known entity cannot have perverse. It cannot be indecisiveness, as from the beginningless time we have experienced soul. And if it is true knowledge then it automatically proves is existence."
This we find Jain literature full of assertive reasons.to prove the existence of soul.
2. Difference between jīva (living being) and soul (ātmā).
Both jiva and ātmā are synonymous really. Function and nature of both of them is the same. However, both the terms are used differently and it is important to understand these terms and their usage.
The word jiva is used in philosophical / textual and doctrinal discussions while the word ātmā is used in spiritual discourses. We can also say that jiva is the object of knowledge and study, while ātmā is the object of meditation and experience. We can also say that jiva is the subject of academia/universities and ātmā is the subject of temples / holy places where monks stay. In fact, we are all living beings, but soul is used just for self and not for all. An example is we call man to all male human beings, but we call husband specific to a woman; houses are many, but home is one specific to an individual. Similarly living beings are infinite, but soul is just self or I out of all living beings. I am soul / self for me, but a living being for you all. Mathematically we can express this as follows:
6.
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jīva + feeling of 'I' = ātmā
ātmā - feeling of 'I' = jiva
In terms of Logic, we can differentiate ātmā and jiva as pervaded (vyapya) and pervader or one who pervades (vyāpaka). Soul is pervaded and jiva is pervader. Thus we can call ātmā as jīva but not vise versa. Like mango and tree are related as pervader and pervaded, so are jiva and ātmā. Hence a tree is called a mango tree, but any tree,
Syādvādamañjarī