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Chapter 26 - Anekäntaväda III - Five Samaväya (Five Causal Factors) Introduction: Who is responsible for the events that occur in the world? Hegel said it is history. Marx said it is "the system." Various views have been propounded to explain the occurrence of events. These theories put forward mutually conflicting answers to the question of who or what causes events in this universe to transpire. An event does not take place because of one reason. There are always more than one factors involved. Per Jain philosophy, a situation develops or an event happens because of five reasons operating simultaneously. Some schools of thought believe that whatever happens is God's wish. They think that
. God has created the universe • God manages the universe
God decides who gets what This type of belief contrasts with that of the Jains, who believe that the six basic substances of the universe are eternal and they are:
• Soul (Jivästikäya) • Material atoms (Pudgalästikäya)
Medium of motion (Dharmästikäya)
Medium of rest (Adharmästikäya) • Space (Äkäshästikäya)
• Time (Käl) They are indestructible and cannot be created. Nobody manages the universe. Everything in the universe takes place in accordance with the laws of nature. Every individual feels the appropriate repercussions of his/her actions in accordance with his/her own Karma. Samaväya: Samaväya is the name of the group of five causes that are associated with every situation or event. It gives the connection between action and causes. Without a cause, no action can take place. These five causes have a deep connection with everything that takes place in the universe. These all are responsible for all events (positive or negative) in the universe. The five Samaväya (group of factors functioning simultaneously) are:
• Käl (Time) • Svabhäv (Nature of a Substance)
Niyati (Fate) • Nimitta and Prärabdha (External Circumstances, and/or Karma)
• Purushärtha (Self Effort or Free Will) Some people give focus only to one of these causes and ignore the others. The theory of Anekäntaväda, the Jain philosophy of multiplicity of viewpoints, rejects this way of viewing matters from a single angle. The Jain philosophy views and reveals the importance of each Samaväya from the Anekantaväda and considers these five Samaväya as the causes for any action or reaction. Without these five, nothing can take place.
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