$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

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

Page 69

SIX SUBSTANCES PARTI - LIVING BEINGS (JIV) Prithvikäya or Earth Bodied Jiv: Seemingly inanimate forms of earth are actually living beings, e.g. clay, sand, metal, coral, etc. They have earthly bodies, hence the name Prithvikäya, which is derived from the Sanskrit term for earth, which is Prithvi.
Apkäya or Water Bodied Jiv: Seemingly inanimate forms of different types of water are living beings. Examples are dew, fog, iceberg, rain, etc. They have water bodies, hence the name Apkäya, which is derived from the Sanskrit term for water, which is Ap.
Teukäya or Fire Bodied Jiv: Seemingly inanimate forms of different types of fires are living beings. Examples are flames, blaze, lightening, forest fire, hot ash, etc. They have fire bodies, hence the name Teukäya, which is derived from the Sanskrit term for fire, which is Tejas.
Väyukäya or Air Bodied Jiv: Seemingly inanimate forms of air are actually living beings. Examples are wind, whirlwinds, cyclones, etc. They have air bodies, hence the name Väyukäya, which is derived from the Sanskrit term for air, which is Väyu.
Vanaspatikäya or Plant Bodied Jiv:
It is well known that plants grow and reproduce and hence they are accepted as living beings. Trees, plants, branches, flowers, leaves, and seeds are some examples of plant life. The Sanskrit term for plant is Vanaspati and therefore such Jivs are called Vanaspatikäya Jiv.
Jainism explains that innumerable souls (Vanaspatikäya Jiv) live in every plants, trees, fruits and vegetables. And a single cell of every plant contains one soul or many souls. Depending upon this, plant life is further divided into the following two sub-categories:
Pratyeka Vanaspatikäya Jiv: Pratyeka means each or one. Such plant lives have one soul exist in a single cell of a plant. Therefore, they are called Pratyeka Vanaspatikäya. Trees, plants, bushes, stem, branches, leaves, and seeds, etc., which grow above the ground are all examples of Pratyeka Vanaspatikäya Jiv. Each plant of Pratyeka Vanaspatikäya possesses infinite number of cells hence infinite number of souls exist in every plant.
Sädhäran Vanaspatikäya Jiv:
Sädhäran means common. In such plant life many souls occupy the same cell or body making this type of plant life multi-organic. Therefore, such plant life is called Sädhäran Vanaspatikäya Jiv. These kinds of plants have an infinite number of souls in a single cell and therefore are called "Anantakäya". Roots which grow under the ground such as potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, beats, etc., belong to this category.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE
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