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2. Śruta Jñāna:
The knowledge acquired through language or through symbolic expressions is called Śruta jñāna. In this type of knowledge, the Jainas include the knowledge gained through the study of scriptures. It is also called scriptural knowledge.
The above two types of knowledge, as they are not directly obtained by the soul, are called Paroksa-Jõāna by the early Jaina philosophers. They depend either on the sense organs or on the scriptures. The following three types of knowledge are included in Pratyaksa-Jõāna, i.e., direct knowledge. They are -
3. Avadhi Jñāna:
It is an extra-ordinary perception, akin to clairvoyance. It is regarded as extra-sensory perception. It is obtained by human beings through penances or yogic practices, but in the kingdoms of heaven and hell it is innate. It is confined to material world only as its objects.
4. Manahparyava Jñāna:
It means the reading of thought-waves. It is the knowledge of thought activity or mental modes of the other beings. According to Jaina philosophy, mind is made up of Mano-Vargana-Pudgala, i.e., finer type of atoms, and every mode of thought is reflected in the mind-substance (Mano-Dravya). Manahparyava Jñāna is a direct experience of such modes of mind-substance working in other individual's minds. It is akin to the modern concept of telepathy. It is obtained when soul is extraordinarily purified through a high order of conduct and only the human beings can obtain it.
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