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Jainism: The Global Impact
- Ruchi Khara
6. Pradeshatva - shape retention
As we take a look around us in the modern world, we are faced with a variety of situations, some directly impacting our lives while others are simply observed from a distance. There are plenty of negative situations we observe including terrorism, wars, conflict amongst religious groups and disparity among socioeconomic groups, to name a few. There are also many positive situations ranging from political successes, economic gains to celebrations of various festivals and milestones. These situations, whether positive or negative, manifest feelings and opinions within us causing us distress or uneasiness that the negative situation will persist or fear that the positive situation will end. As followers of Jainism, unbeknownst to most, we possess a unique viewpoint of the world around us and are able to understand why certain situations occur. These principles can help to ease our anxieties and allow us to face global issues without becoming overly distressed.
These qualities are common to all six substances and should be considered as laws of nature. Astitva explains that any substance cannot be created or destroyed. Every substance is self-existent since eternal time and will continue to remain in existence for eternity. Vastutva means that every substance has the potential to perform its own activity without the help of any other substance. Because of that, one substance cannot perform the activity of another substance. Dravyatva tells us that each substance is continuously undergoing modifications. Prameyatva explains that every substance has the ability to be known. Therefore it is possible to know each and every substance in this universe. Agurulagutva means that every substance has the power to maintain its own state of being a substance. So, one substance cannot be transformed into any other substance. Finally, Pradeshatva tells us that every substance always has some form or shape.
To arrive at that final realization, we must first understand the basics of Jain teachings. Jainism explains that any and everything found in the universe can be categorized as one of six substances, or six dravya. These substances are as follows: Jiv - souls, Pudgal - matter, Dharma - medium of motion, Adharma - medium of rest, Aakash - space and Kaal-time. These six substances have qualities that are common to all and they also have specific qualities to help us distinguish one from the other. The common qualities are as follows:
As mentioned earlier, the six substances also have specific qualities that in turn allow us to distinguish one from the other. It is mainly important for us to be able to distinguish between Jiv and Pudgal as that is what we tend to confuse the most. Specific qualities of Jiv include: Gyan - to know, Darshan - to see, Shraddha - to believe, Charitra - conduct, Sukhhappiness, Virya - spiritual energy, Kriyavati Shakti - the ability to move or be still. Specific qualities of Pudgal include: Sparsh-touch, Ras - taste, Gandh - smell, Varn- color, Kriyavati Shakti - the ability to move or be still. Keeping these qualities in mind we can categorize things we can see, touch, taste or smell as Pudgal. Also, anything that can know, see, believe, or have happiness is Jiv. Dharma, Adharma, Aakash and Kaal also have specific qualities that are unique to each of them.
1.Astitva - existence
2. Vastutva - functionality
3.Dravyatva - changeability
4.Prameyatva - knowability
Understanding and interpreting these basic principles can help us to determine how and why things happen
5.Agurulagutva - constancy of individuality
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