Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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formed with the syllable 'ata (ata sātatyagamane) having two meanings namely to go and knowledge and both are applicable here.
5. Understanding the nature of soul by its nine attributes / characteristics. To present a lucid description of sīva, Jain ācāryas have used the nine characteristics of jīva. Ācārya Nemicandra Siddhāntadeva (11th century AD) in his text Dravya-sangraha has explained all these nine characteristics in thirteen verses (gāthās). These nine characteristics are very briefly given below:
1. Jivatva
An entity which lives, as per absolute viewpoint with the force and capability of its consciousness and as per practical viewpoint with its four forces /capabilities of breathe, lifespan, sensual organs and its energy, is called to have jīvatva or is called jīva.
2. Upayogamaya or able to manifest
Here upayoga means primarily manifestation of consciousness into intuition (darśanopayoga) and knowledge (jñānaopayoga). There are further sub divisions of these two manifestations of consciousness that we do not discuss at this stage. However it is to be understood that this manifestation of consciousness is the primary or main characteristic of jīva in Jain philosophy e.g. the verses 'upyogo laksanam'10 and 'cetanālakṣaṇo jīvah 11'indicate this concept clearly.
3. Amūrtika - non-concrete
Jīva by its nature is non-concrete and attributes like touch, taste, colour and odour are not associated with it.
4. Kartā or Doerl Agent
From absolute viewpoint, it is the doer of its nature and from practical viewpoint it is the doer of its matter karmas.
5. Svadehaparimāņa or is of the size of the body it owns.
Jīva expands or contracts in shape and size according to the body it lives in at different times. When it is liberated of all its karmic impurities, it is of the size and shape slightly less than the last body it owned.
10 Tattvārtha-sutra II.8 11 Sarvārthasiddhi 1.4
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
