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Essence of Jainism
view of absolute decisiveress or from the point of view of absolutely pure material viewpoint. Subtlety is stated to be a trait of Jiva or life-force. This is from the point of view of decisiveness or pure material viewpoint.
Jiva -Self-evident or the result of material mixtures ?
Q. : It is heard and read that the Jiva is a chemical object, i.e.,
the result of material mixtures. It is not a self-evident object.
It is both created and destroyed. What is the truth here? A. : This view results from illusion, because the experiences of
kaowledge, happiness, sorrow, delight, pain etc. are related to the miod and they result from their dependence on gross or subtle material objects. These material objects are only a means or instrumental cause in the creation of these inclinations and not the material cause. The material cause is totally different, .and that is the Atmatattva. It is therefore an illusion to look upon material objects as the material cause of such inclinations, If we think otherwise, countless faults arise, such as bappiness and sorrow, being rich and poor, long and short life-span, respect and aversion, knowledge and ignorance etc. which are mutually opposed feelings and these may be found in the two offsprings of the same parents also. If we were to look upon the Jiva as an independent element, this would not be possible under any circumstance.
Q. : On whom should we place our trust with regard to the exist
ence of the Jiva ? A. : We should depend upon our own experience and on the words
of unselfish seers who meditate only on the Atmā since long and in full concentration,
Five Parameşthis
Their Types 0. : Are all parameșthis of just one type ? What is the difference
between the one and the other ?
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