Jainism

Author(s): M R Gelra
Publisher: Createspace

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1. Concept of Soul
According to Jainism there are two ultimate realities in the universe. They are: Jiva and Ajiva. Jiva means living beings, and Ajiva are non-living beings. Jainism strongly advocates that Jiva cannot change into Ajiva and Ajiva cannot change into Jiva.
(i) Etymological Meaning
The etymological meaning and synonym 'Jivanam iti jivah', means one that bears life or soul is called Jiva. There are several synonyms of Jiva. In the Bhagwati sutra there are many names like 'prana', 'bhuta', 'satva', 'vigna', 'vetta', 'cheta', 'jeta', 'aatma' to indicate Jiva. Out of these synonyms, the terms Jiva and Aatma are indiscriminately used in Jain Agams. We should note that Aatma is used for the self and Jiva is used in general for all souls.
Acharanga Sutra, the oldest Jain text has propounded the theory of the plurality of souls i.e. in existence souls are infinite in number. We define soul as a metaphysical entity, believed to be non- material part of a living being and which exists even after death. Soul is immortal, invisible; hence it is spiritual and one of the realities of the existence.
The western philosopher Pythagoras believed in the immortality of the soul, and that there is a relationship between humans and animals; that the human soul can take birth in an animal. If humans led a disciplined life, it would prevent the soul from taking 'animal birth'.
(ii) Elementary Classification
According to the elementary classification, the souls are of two kinds:
(a) Worldly - Empirical souls
(b) Liberated souls.
(a) Worldly Souls - Worldly souls mean the souls are in bondage with Karmas. These souls adopt the course of birth and death till the karmic particles are attached to them. These souls have been in the world from the time which has no beginning. These souls are classified in six types, chajjivanikayas. The details are dealt with, in the chapter on 'Ecology.'
(b) Liberated Souls - Liberated souls are disembodied souls who have shed all karmas and have no births and deaths. They are called siddhas. They are Godly souls and maintain their infinite knowledge, infinite bliss and infinite spiritual energy but they do not create and destroy the universe. The liberated souls reside at the top of the heavenly abode. The path depicted in the Jains' teachings is designed to improve the soul through righteousness, so that the inflowing karmas are stopped, and
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