Types of Knowledge in Jainism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Z_Gems_of_Jainism_001803.pdf

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TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE (JNĀNA) IN JAINISM
Introduction
Just like the concept of reality, Jainism has its own theory regarding the existence and nature of soul. What is important to note is the fact that Jainism accepts the existence of soul. It is Atmavadi Darsana; and the soul, according to Jainism, has an inherent capacity to know all things, if the "soul were in its perfection. Higher the degree of purity, higher the capacity to know. The main cause of obscured capacity being Karmic obstructions, on the total destruction of all possible karmic veils, pure perception - “Ananta Jnana (infinite knowledge) occurs. "In our empirical lives, the purity of the soul is defiled by the absorption of the unconsicious substance, matter. When the opposing energies are completely overthrown, the soul viberates at its natural rhythm and exercises its function of unlimited knowing. Souls are substartces characterised by intelligence, and their differences are due to the degree of their connexions with matter." The varieties of perception is nothing but the variation in degree of the karmic obstructions, or purity of Self. Thus like Jain ethics and religion, Jain espistemology is based upon the Jain doctrin'e of Karma. Knowledge(Jnana), according to Jainas, "is the soul's intrinsic, inherent/inseparable and inalienable attribute, without which no soul can exist. Knowledge plays an important part in the conception of soul and its emancipation." Jain epistemology or Jain