Jainism a Glimpse

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

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Elements (Tattva) There are nine elements - Fundamental Truths: 1) "Jiva" - life - Soul - living beings with sentience, spirit,
innerself. 2) "Ajiva" - no consciousness - without life - non sentient
(The five substances). 3) "Punya" - merit - weal. 4) "Pāpa" - sin-woe. 5) "Aśrava"- inflow (the soul attracts subtle forms of matter
to ourselves as a result of the action of the senses which
impels the soul towards external objects, good or bad). 6) "Samvara" - Restrain, blocks the inflow of subtle-matter
(energies) through Ahimsā (non-injury), right conduct, etc. 7) "Nirjarā" - to liberate, to separate - to discard - to remove the impurities of subtle matter. 8) "Bandha" - Bondage - assimilate the subtle matter
(energy) in the soul's space-points good or bad. 9) "Mākşa" - absolute freedom - final pure natural state in
everlasting blissfulness.
Life is dear to all, though it may contain misery as well as happiness. Man's desire for an explanation of the existence of misery, for the relief to extinction and for consequent increase in happiness. Relieving misery, explaining its existence and increasing happiness in life is the function of religion. All living beings ardently seek happiness which should be complete, without blemish and permanent. Such an everlasting happiness is possible only in "Mõkşa", supreme eternal bliss, the state of Omniscience (Pure Effuigence Divine).
We are self-existent, immortal, individual souls, alive with feelings and consciousness, and never lose our identity (Jiva).
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