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MODEL OF THE JAIN UNIVERSE
What does that mean??
By: Nishma Shah, Director of Publications 2003
The Jain loka (world) represents the five basic ontological categories of the souls: kal (time), akash (space), dharmastikay (motion), adharmastikay (rest), and pudgal (matter). In conjunction with living beings, these are the six Jain universal entities, or dravyas. Jains believe that the loka has always been in existence and is without beginning or end but incurs constant change. The universe is self-regulated.
The loka is in the shape of a giant in Jain art. The loka consists of three the Middle world, which is the the smallest area; however, it is of inhabited by the only beings that beings. The Middle world consists and continents. Below the middle worse than the one before it. The area directly above the Middle world in their luminosity and whose the heavens, there is a half-moon have attained moksha reside. the cycle of rebirth and have ultimate goal for all Jains.
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26/JAIN DIGEST Summer 2003 Jain Education International 2010_03
man (purusha), which is often depicted strips/parts. The middle strip represents world that we currently reside in. It is the greatest significance since it is can attain enlightenment--human of all living beings, as well as oceans world, there are a series of hells, each hellish beings reside in these hells. The includes a series of heavens that increase inhabitants are divine beings. Above shaped area in which those souls who These souls have been liberated from attained pure knowledge. This is the
For any living beings, karma is what determines where he/she may go. Both bad and good karma play an important role in this process. Karma attaches to our souls and is based on our speech, our actions, and our thoughts. One's present fate is decided based on past karma, and one's present karma in conjunction with one's past karma, will determine the future fate of a living being.
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