$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

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

Page 75

SIX SUBSTANCES PART II - NON-LIVING SUBSTANCES (AJIV) Chapter 18 - Six Substances Part II – Non-Living Substances (Ajiv)
Non-living Substances (Ajiv) Anything that does not have life or consciousness is Ajiv. Ajiv literally means without a soul and therefore, they cannot accumulate any karma. They do not have birth, death, pleasure, or pain; they are Achetan (inert). Examples of Ajivs are: a box, car, fan, television, photo frame, iron, watch, etc.
Jain Philosophy has classified Ajivs into the following five categories:
(1) Dharmästikäya (Medium of Motion). (2) Adharmästikäya (Medium of Rest). (3) Äkäshästikäya (Space). (4) Pudgalästikäya (Matter). (5) Käl (Time).
Dharmästikäya (Medium of Motion) Dharmästikäya is made up of two words: Dharma and Astikäya. The term Dharma here does not refer to religion, but means the medium of motion. Astikäya means collection of spaces. It denotes the medium of motion for things in the universe. In the absence of this medium, Jiv and other matters would be unable to move. This medium prevails in lok (cosmic space), but is absent in alok (trans cosmic space)
Its primary function is to help in the movement of soul and matter in a similar way water provides a medium for fish to move. It exists in the entire cosmic universe (Lokäkäsh)
Adharmästikäya (Medium of Rest) This word is also made up of two words: Adharma and Astikaya. Here again, Adharma does not refer to a lack of religion, but rather it means the medium of rest. In the absence of this medium, jivs and other things would continuously move. This medium also prevails in lok, but is absent in alok.
Its primary function is to help to rest the movement of soul and matter in a similar way. People rest in the shade of a tree. It exists in the entire cosmic universe (Lokäkäsh)
Äkäshästikäya (Space) Äkäshästikäya is made up of two words: Äkäsha and Astikäya. Whole space in the universe is called Akäsha. In Jainism, Akäsha is divided into two parts: Lokäkäsh (Loka or cosmic space) and Alokäkäsh (Aloka or trans cosmic space). Jiv, Pudgal, Dharmästikäya, and Adharmästikäya exist only in Lokäkäsh. Alokäkäsh is an empty space and does not contain any Jiv, Pudgal, Käl, Dharmästikäya, and Adharmästikäya.
The qualities are as follows:
Provides room to soul, matter, medium of motion, and medium of rest Pervades everywhere (infinite) Supports everything and thus it is self supported
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I
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