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Nature of Salvation
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samsari Jivas. Of course this classification is based on physical differences and is not metaphysical. On metaphysical level we can classify from the Gunsthana point of view i.e. Jivas divided into fourteen divisions or fourteen ranks - from utmost polluted ( rank 1) to perfectly pure (rank 14). The Jaina literature tells the Gunasthana as the “Ladder of Spiritual Ascent". Soul, according to Jainism is inherently pure, conscious, blissful, omniscient and omnipotent; owing to its past karmas, its inherent perfection is concealed or diffused. At this stage we avoid going down deep into the steps of this Spiritual Ascent which in Jainism are called Gunassthana.
When we talk of classification of Souls in Jainism, let us note the “Holy Pentad” (Panch - Parmesthin) - five Holy Souls in the Jaina form of religiousness where the central theme is obeisance or adoration (Namaskar) to these holy souls. These souls are : (1) all the arhats (i.e. Tirthankaras), (ii) All the Siddhas, (iii) All the Acharyas, (iv) All the Upādhyas and (v) All the Sadhus (Good human beings). This classification is not of all the souls but only of the holy souls, souls having spiritually elevated - higher than we ordinary Samsāris (house holders).
In our concluding remark about the philosophy of soul in Jainism we saw the Jaina concept of Jiva or Soul, its meaning, nature and its types. The nature of souls, the properties and classification of souls, all this reflect the originality of Jaina system. At the same time the Jain concept is so simple in understanding and so sound in its logic that the soul in its essence is pure, is hindered by Karmic veil and its original purity is sullied, can regain its original pure status (form) by removing the veil or annihilating the karma. Thus in Jainism soul is always discussed and understood in its two stages: the state of bondage and the state of release. Of course our talk is about the second one, we talk something about both the states. The Soul in State of Bondage:
We can not and will not give full justice to state of Bondage by discussing it into the full details. We have time limitation, and
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