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Gems of Jainism
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Jainism believes in soul. Soul in Jainism is a substance. ii. Jainism believes in pluralism of Souls.
The Jiva or embodied Soul is a Soul in bondage. iv. According to Jainism Karma is the cause of bondage. v. Total annihilation of Karma is total freedom from
bondage. vi. A soul totally free from bondage is a liberated soul. vii. Liberated Souls have all infinite bliss, power, knowledge
and so are Gods. Keeping these in mind, we will see the Jaina Philosophy of Soul first. Then we will talk about the doctrine of Karma - the cause of bondage. Unless we know the causes of bondage we will not be able to remove the causes and till the causes are not removed the bondage cannot be removed. When bondage is removed, liberation or Moksa is attained. Liberation or Moksa in Jainism is a state of Soul in its all the capacities in infinite degree. At this stage the soul is free - free from the cycle of birth - death. And towards the conclusion we will talk about the nature of liberation Philosophy of Soul in Jainism
Except the behaviourist school of psychology, the most important presupposition of all schools is consciousness. We can not deny the consciousness because the truth of consciousness is again based on consciousness. Jaina philosophy holds a close relation between the Soul and the consciousness. For almost all the 'Atmavādi' (Believing in the existence of Soul) schools the consciousness is one of the qualities of the Soul. Soul (Jiva), in Jainism is a substance, and consciousness (Chetanā) is its differentiating characteristic. Where there is soul (Jiva) there is consciousness and vice versa. They are always found together. Meaning :
Jainism recognises nine categories of the fundamental truth. They are (1) Jiva, (2) Ajiva (3) Punya, (4) Pāpa (5) Asrava (6)
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