Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 72

broadly consist of living beings (Jiva) on the one hand and five non-living objects (Ajiva) on the other. These six entities of the universe are eternal, but continuously undergo countless changes. During the change, nothing is lost or destroyed. Everything transforms into another form.
Jain religion is rooted in the realization of the intrinsic nature of the soul (Vastu Swabhavo dharma). Jiva (the animate souls) embody infinite perception, knowledge, consciousness, energy and bliss, and have inherent in them the energy, eligibility and opportunity to shed karmic accumulations, attain salvation and become supreme all-knowing (Sarvagya) and all-pervasive (Sarva-darshi) souls (Parmatma). The other five elements are AJIVA (inanimate or non-soul) viz., matter (pudgal), space (akasa), time (kala), the medium of motion (Dharma) and the medium of rest (Adharma). A liberated soul has the ingredients of eternity, consciousness and bliss respectively called sat, chit and anand or sachchidanand.
Mahavir preached :
Every being has infinite latent energy. Activating it depends on individual's endeavours. If one becomes aware of one's potential and resolves to progress, then one can change the fruits and consequences of karmas and even destroy them."
By itself, the Jiva (soul) has no form. It is intangible, colorless, odorless and formless. Scriptures describe it as Neti-Neti (not this-not that). It can only be experienced by dwelling deep within oneself. However, during its worldly life, it gets invested with a physical body, and becomes the object of the inflow of karmic dust (asravas). These are subtle material particles that are drawn towards a soul because of its worldly activities.
Jain religion has elucidated nine tatvas or fundamentals that are basic to the theory of karma, which provides the basis for the path of liberation. Without proper understanding of these nine tatvas, a person cannot progress spiritually. The nine tatvas are:
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A Portrait of Jain Religion