$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 67

SIX SUBSTANCES PART 1 - LIVING BEINGS (JIV) Chapter 17 - Six Substances Part 1 - Living Beings (Jiv)
Jain Philosophy does not give credence to the theory that the God is the creator, survivor, or destroyer of the universe. On the contrary, it asserts that the universe has always existed and will always exist in exact adherence to the laws of the cosmos. There is nothing but infinity both in the past and in the future.
The universe consists of two classes of objects: Living beings
Conscious, Soul, Chetan, or Jiv Non-living objects
Unconscious, Achetan, or Ajiv
Non-living objects are further classified into five categories;
Matter Space Medium of motion Medium of rest Time
Pudgal Äkäsha Dharmästikäya Adharmästikäya Käl or Samay
These six entities, five non-living and one living being, are described as aspects of reality in Jainism. They are also known as the six universal entities, or substances or realities.
These six entities of the universe are eternal but continuously undergo countless changes. During the changes nothing is lost or destroyed. Everything transform into another form.
Six Universal Substances (Shad Dravyas) As explained above Jainism believes that the universe is made from the combination of the six universal substances. All of the six substances are indestructible, imperishable, immortal, eternal and continuously go through countless changes.
Soul or Consciousness Matter Medium of motion Medium of rest Space Time
Jiv Pudgal Dharma Adharma Äkäsha Käl or Samay
Living being Nonliving being Nonliving being Nonliving being Nonliving being Nonliving being
Soul (Jiv) or Living being Soul's essential characteristic is consciousness. In Jainism, Jiv and soul are more or less described synonymously. When the spiritual or psychic status is described it is referred to as the soul, and when the physical structure is described, it is called Jiv.
The Jiv, which grows, decays, fluctuates, varies, eats, sleeps, awakes, acts, fears, rests, has knowledge and perception, attempts to self defend, and reproduces. These and many more qualities of the jiv are obvious through a physical body when the soul is present in it but when the soul leaves, these qualities cease. These qualities are external features and consciousness (Chetan) is the basic inner feature of the soul. This also helps us understand that the body and the soul are separate entities.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I