Six Universal Substances

According to Jain Science, the universe is comprised of six substancesSoul (Jiva)Matter (Ajiva)Space (Akash)Time (Kal)Dynamic medium (Dharmastikay)Stationary medium (Adharmastikay)

JAINA REALITY:JIVA (souls)

AJIVA (material atoms)

EACH LIVING THING IS A COMBINATION OF JIVA AND AJIVA

THEIR MOVEMENTS CAUSE THE CREATION AND DESTRUCTION OF EVERYTHING AROUND US

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JIVAIn its PURE state, not associated with matterConsciousness its essence All are alike

Main characteristics:KNOWLEDGE: omniscientBLISS: utterly pureENERGY: unlimited

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“Soul - God” – Each living being has a Soul; God is a fully enlightened Soul. Each Soul is capable of becoming God.

QUALITIES OF SOUL

QUALITIES

unlimitedunlimited

Utterly pureUtterly pure

OmniscienceOmniscience

Why the soul, which possesses infinite faith, infinite bliss and infinite power, seems limited & differ? Obstacles of Karma

WHAT DEFILES SOUL? KARMA KARMA: MATTER

Obstructs knowledgeDefiles blissLimits energy

MATTER IS SEEN AS A SHACKLE BINDING THE SOUL

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WHY DOES KARMA OCCUR?If soul is inherently pure, why embodied in matter?

No answer/no real question

THE CONDITION IS THE BEGINNING POINT

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FOR JAINS, THE ORIGIN OF KARMIC MATTER IS NOT

IMPORTANT

BUT ITS REMOVAL

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What is Karma?

Karma is a matter(Pudgal) determining the fate of the soul in rebirths

It is composed of very fine karmic particles = karmons

Entire Universe is filled with Karmic Particles

Jain Karma TheoryLaw of Cause and EffectLaw of Action and ReactionWhat one sows, one reapsOur intention behind our actions of mind,

speech and body binds us with Karma

Empowering TheoryWhile the Law of Karma dictates what we are

experiencing now to be the result of our own past action.

Only WE are responsible for our past, present and future and only WE can alter it. No one else can!

Jiva (Soul)Extended substanceMany bodies there are many souls.

Soul Liberated(Mukta)Bound(Baddha)

Bound soul1. Mobile(trasa)2. Immobile(sthavana) Lives in atoms and vegetable kingdom

Mobile Soul•Having two senses(worms)•Three senses(ants)•Four senses(wasps)•Five senses(higher animals)

Six Universal Substances

According to Jain Science, the universe is comprised of six substancesSoul (Jiva)Matter (Ajiva)Space (Akash)Time (Kal)Dynamic medium (Dharmastikay)Stationary medium (Adharmastikay)

BASIC DOCTRINES

BONDAGE (KARMA)

LIBERATION (REMOVAL OF KARMIC MATTER)

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CAUSES OF BONDAGE:IGNORANCE

Responsibility? Ourselves!

Through thought, speech, action – CREATE OUR OWN BONDAGE

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KARMAEACH PRESENT MOMENT OF EXISTENCE IS

‘EARNED’ BY OUR PAST ACTIONS

EACH FUTURE LIFE IS ‘EARNED’ BY OUR PRESENT LIFE

CONDUCT OF THOUGHTS, SPEECH, ACTIONS CAUSES BONDAGE

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THE ULTIMATE GOALTo free our soul from its bondage of KarmaThrough (Three Jewels:tri-ratna)

1.Samyak Darshan (Rational Perception)

2.Samyak Gnyan (Rational Knowledge)

3.Samyak Charitra (Rational Conduct)

Fivefold spiritual disciplineMaha vrata anu vrataGreat vows lesser vows

1.Non-Injury (ahimsa)2.Non-uttering of falsehood (satya)3.Non-stealing (asetya)4.Abstention from sensuality (brahmacharya)5.Non-possession (aparigraha)

Ahimsa (Non violence)

• Ahimsa is disciplined behavior towards every living being - Dashvaikalika Sutra (6/9)

• Absence of violence of any sort towards all beings at all times is Ahimsa. - Yogasutra

• In its absolute definition, ‘Ahimsa is the absence of evil thoughts, feelings or attitude’

Ahimsa (Non violence)• Ahimsa is not to be practised at the physical

level only but at a mental one as well. In other words, it is stated that there should be no Himsa by ‘ Man ‘ (mind), ‘Vachan’ (speech), or ‘Kaya” (body).

• Even hurting feelings is himsa.

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TOOLS OF AHIMSA VOW: MONKS AND NUNSWhisk broom utilized when walkingStraining water for organismsFace clothStrict vegetarianism, OR, fruitarianism, the

practice of only eating that which will not kill the plant or animal from which it is taken. e.g. milk, fruit, nuts.

Never lighting a lamp at night, never walking in the dark, never put out a fire

Bathing is forbidden, as it harms the water and the vermin on the body.

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TRUTHFULNESS (SATYA)Great care must be taken that speech is

always positiveClosely related to ahimsa – speech

resulting in ‘hurting’ must be avoidedTHUS, AT THE END OF A MONK’S

LIFE, HE OR SHE MAY REFRAIN FROM SPEAKING AT ALL

Honesty characteristic of Jain business people

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SEXUAL PURITY (BRAHMACARYA)

Ascetics – no sexual activity – no THOUGHT of sex

Laypeople – no sexual activities or thoughts outside of marriage

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NONATTACHMENT (APARIGRAHA)

More than simple non-possession

GOAL = completely ridding the self of thoughts and attitudes that are vehicles of desire

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LAST STAGE

MOKSHA (COMPLETE LIBERATION)CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY ARHANT IN A

MOMENT PRIOR TO DEATHWHERE ALL KARMIC ACTIONS AND

THOUGHT ARE COMPLETED GOTTEN RID OF

UNLIKE BUDDHISTS AND HINDHUS

TOTAL PERFECTION IS NOT POSSIBLE DURING LIFE

COMES ONLY UPON THE FINAL DEATH

Unique Teachings of Jainism• God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer

of the Universe• Every living being has a potential to

become God• Path of liberation is to follow rational

perception, rational Knowledge and rational conduct

• Conquer your desire by your own effort to attain liberation

THANK YOU