Book Title: $JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book
Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Page 120
________________ Space No Consciousness, Provides space to all substances, without form Time No Consciousness, continually changes, without form Jiva (Living Substances) The most important, rather, central element or substance of the universe is the animate living substance also called the soul or Jiva. There are an infinite number of souls each having a separate and selfsufficient entity. They have been coexistent with the universe and thus they are also beginningless and endless. The number of souls in the universe like all other substances can neither be increased nor decreased. The soul neither dies nor is born. The soul only changes the body and expands or contracts to suit the size of the body it occupies as if the light of a candle occupies the room. However, Jiva is distinguished by its own great quality; consciousness. Jiva has the following intrinsic characteristics. Jnän Darshan Bliss • Energy Jnän When consciousness directs its attention to mainly to specific characteristics rather than general characteristics of a substance, the form that the consciousness assumes is known as Jnän. There are five types of Jnän: Mati Jnän - Mati Jnän is the knowledge derived through the senses and activities of the mind. Shruta Jnän - Shruta Jnän is derived through symbols or signs (e.g., words that are symbols of ideas, gestures). Avadhi Jnän - Avadhi Jnän is psychic knowledge, which can be directly experienced by accomplished souls without the medium of senses or mind Manah-Paryaya Jnän - Manah-Paryaya Jnän is knowledge of the ideas and thoughts of others (mind reading is one example of this kind of knowledge). Keval Jnän is omniscience or knowledge unlimited as to space, time and object. Keval Jnän) - Keval Jnän is omniscience or knowledge unlimited as to space, time and object. In addition, there are three types of false Jnän, which are known as Ajnän: • Kumati or Mati Ajnän • Kushrut or Shruta Ajnän • Vibhang-jnän. Kumati, Kushrut and Vibhang-jnän are opposite to Mati Jnän, Shruta Jnän and Avadhi Jnän. They are to be avoided by gaining the right perception. Darshan Here Darshan means perception (general knowledge) and vision. Darshan (perception) implies general or non-specific knowledge of a substance as opposed to specific knowledge, which is meant by Jnän. 120 JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2

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