Concept of Paryaya in Jain Philosophy

Author(s): S R Bhatt, Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 37

The concept of Paryaya : Its Ethico-Spiritual Significance 25 asserted without contradiction. "There is no origin without destruction nor is there any destruction without origin and neither destruction nor origin is possible without what continues to be."15 The intricate notion of Paryaya provides foundation to ethics. A real changes and change means emergence of modes which were not in evidence before. With change a thing becomes different from what it is. There is coming into being of a new mode and yet a thing substantially remains the same. The changes assume a particular shape depending upon presence of certain operative factors. As applied to the soul substance, this means that every soul is the cause of its own change. Hence morality has meaning as virtues are rewarded. Spiritually, soul can evolve to its inherent perfection. The concept of Paryaya may help the soul in highlighting the intrinsic nature of consciousness. In Jainism the key concept is spiritual substance- the soul. Which is different from matter. Existence of soul is one of the presuppositions of Jain metaphysics. Soul is essentially pure. The intrinsic nature of soul is pure Consciousness, Passions, Attachment, Aversion etc. are modifications of soul and as such transitory. In the Jaina text it is said "soul is essentially conscious and it undergoes modifications is a doer of acts and is the direct enjoyer of the fruits of acts."16 From empirical point of view soul is wandering in the cycle of birth and death in the four states of existence. Soul can realise its pure nature by its own efforts in the human state of existence and the intrinsic nature of the soul is not actualized in the person having impurities. The result is suffering, though the essential quality of the soul is infinite bliss. The impurities can be removed by following moral code of conduct and avoiding sinful acts. According to Jainism, all our endeavours should be to overcome passions which are obstacles in our way to achieve ultimate goal namely liberation. There is the three - fold path to salvation which consists of right Conduct characterised by right knowledge and right faith. Souls purified by following the path of religion and morality finally achieve liberation. Religion protects the soul from falling into miseries of world. The true self is realised by following the path of Right Conduct endowed with equanimity within the self obtained by freedom from all passions. The soul can resume its pure state by