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Reality and Existence
'RE
EALITY' as the key-concept in Metaphysics is an extremely comprehensive term and includes in it a general philosophy of life and a definite view of the universe. It is because of this that the metaphysical aspect of any philosophical system under study is considered as reflecting a 'world-view' of which the outlook on life around forms an integral part.
According to Jainism a proper understanding of Reality consists in comprehending consciousness and matter, for, they both exist. Leaving out of account either of this is, to say the least, taking a partial view of Reality, and, as such, to have an incomplete picture.
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The 'hard-core realism' of Jainism is evident from its identification of Reality with Existence. It maintains that Reality is Existence and Existence is Real. The emphasis on taking into consideration both the conscious and the non-conscious aspects (jīva and ajiva) of Reality on the ground that they both exist points to the fact that the individual soul, matter, space, time and the principles of motion and rest found in the universe are all Real.1 These constitute the existent reality and are respectively referred to as Jiva, Pudgala, Akāśa, Kāla, Dharma and Adharma. The last five together are referred to as Ajiva.
1 See Bhagavati-Sūtra, XXV. 2-4
2 It should also be noted that in an earlier chapter of the Bhagavati-Sutra (XIII, 4 & 481) we find the view that the Universe is constituted of five substances. The view is attributed to Mahāvīra himself, who, in reply to one of his
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