Atma the Self

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

Page 23

JAINA PHILOSOPHY
The Development of the Soul in Jaina Philosophy
The Jaina philosophy is a vast subject and is a complete system of thoughts. This is a very small attempt to introduce to the readers the barest outline of one of the subjects 'Atmā - The Self' in the Jaina Philosophy. We see and welcome the revival of faith everywhere. People across the continent, including the societies dominated by materialistic impulse and even the ultra radical sections have begun to turn to religion as the way out of the twentieth century's tensions and woes. The revival, in act, cuts across the barriers of religion and creeds. This will give the reader an idea of the extensiveness of the domain of the Jain thought as also the importance it occupies.
ATMĀ The Self....
According to the Karmic Doctrine of Jaina, in a fraction of the vast infinite, pure, absolutely empty space (Alōkākāśa) exists Cosmos (Universe) which though indeterminable is of a limited dimension (Lōkākāśa). .
It has no beginning and no end. It is everlasting and imperishable. It is uncreated and is subject only to its own laws (Lōkasthiti).
The Cosmos consists of six (1 + 5) 'Basic Reals' everlasting imperishable Substances (Dravya) which pervade the entire cosmos, are the following
1) Jivāstikāya: The Soul - possesses consciousness and intelligence with infinite qualities - attributes.
2) Pudgalastikāya: Matter. Subtle indivisible unit (Paramāņu) can unite itself with several others or groups and / or get separated under certain law. The assimilation and separation creates Karmic Energies.
Jiva and Pudgala are active substances, the remaining are passive.