Book Title: $JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)
Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
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PHILOSOPHY
B03 - Basics of Jainism
B03 Basics of Jainism
01 Soul (Atmä)
What is Soul? Where is it? What color is it? What shape is it? Does it really exist? If it does exist why do we not see the Soul?
Undoubtedly, we believe in the existence of matter. We can see it and detect it around us. We usually tend to believe only what we see, hear, feel, touch or smell. The presence of certain objects or phenomenon is, in many cases, beyond the scope of our senses. For example, we cannot see the air and electricity but we realize their existence by their operations. Similarly, the existence of soul or Ätmä is realized by its operations.
Jains believe that the difference between a living being and a nonliving object is that the living being has a soul and a nonliving object does not. The eternal question of "WHO AM I?" automatically establishes the existence of a soul. The distinguishing quality of the soul is consciousness (Chetanä) i.e. awareness of existence, feelings and thoughts.
The Inherent Qualities of the Soul
Infinite Perception (Anant Darshan) Infinite Knowledge (Anant Jnän) Infinite Happiness (Anant Sukh) Infinite Energy (Anant Virya)
The natural state of a Soul is bliss. The Soul is an ocean of intelligence.
The Soul is an ocean of knowledge.
Just as the Soul knows everything, it sees, feels, and observes everything.
The pure Soul is never angry, mad, or sad.
When the Soul becomes non-attached, it reveals its infinite power.
All souls are capable of attaining liberation (Moksha).
02 Classification of living beings (Jiva)
All objects that we are surrounded by are either living beings or non-living things. All animals and plants are living beings. A cat playing with a ball is obviously living while the ball is non-living. A pigeon flying from tree to tree is a living being and so are the trees.
Sometimes it is not so easy to decide because plants are living things but they do not play with balls or fly Non-living things (Ajiva)
A doll, a chair or a glass are all non-living things. Most non-living things are parts of or are derived from those who were once living things. Coal is a good example. It was formed when trees died and sank into the soft ground. This happened many millions of years ago when the earth was covered with forests. Paper is non-living but it is made from trees. Peanut butter and Jelly are also non-living but they were made from the fruit of a plant.
Living Beings (Jiva)
In the universe, there are different forms of life such as human beings, animals, insects, plants, bacteria, and even smaller lives that cannot be seen through the most powerful microscopes of today. Jainism has classified all the living beings into two broad categories
• Non-mobile or Sthävar Jiva - are those that are stationary and cannot move on their own.
• Mobile or Trasa Jiva - are those that can move on their own.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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