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04 - FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF JAINISM
04 - Fundamental Beliefs of Jainism The following list summarizes the major beliefs of Jainism:
2.
1. The universe is without a beginning or an end, and is
everlasting and eternal. No one has created it, and no one can destroy it. Six fundamental substances or entities known as Dravya constitute the universe. They are Soul (Jiva), Matter (Pudgal), Principle of Motion (Dharma), Principle of Rest
(Adharma), Space (Äkäsha), and Time (Käl). 3. All six entities are eternal. Although they undergo countless
changes continuously, they do not transform from one substance to another and retain their inherent qualities.
The soul is the only living substance, which is consciousness. Every living being is a soul. An infinite number of souls exist in the universe and they are all unique individuals. The remaining 5 substances are non-living
beings (Ajiva). 5. From eternity, every soul is ignorant and in delusion of its
true nature and is also bound by karma. 6. The ignorant and deluded soul, while remaining in bondage,
continues to attract and bind new karma. It is due to karma that the soul migrates from one life cycle to another, passing through many pleasure and painful situations that causes it to suffer.
7. A soul in its pure form has no Kashäya such as; anger, ego,
deceit, and greed. Thus, it has no karma attached to it and possesses infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite energy and power, unobstructed bliss, and no physical body.
8. A soul in its impure form (a soul having Kashaya and hence
karma particles are attached to it), possesses limited knowledge, limited perception, limited energy, a physical body and its limitations, and experiences pleasure and pain.
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JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
