Vitalism is at the core of Jain philosophy which separates Jiva (soul or life) from Ajiva (non-soul). According to Jain cosmology, the whole universe is made up of six simple substances and is therefore eternal. These six substances (dravya) are:
Jiva or soul is distinguished from the rest five (termed Ajiva) on account of the quality of intelligence with which it is endowed and of which the other substances are devoid.
The Tattvarthsutra by Umaswati states that the universe is made up of six eternal substances: sentient beings or souls (jīva), non-sentient substance or matter (pudgala), principle of motion (dharma), the principle of rest (adharma), space (ākāśa) and time (kāla).[1][2] The Sarvārthasiddhi by Pujyapada further divides the Jiva into the amount of vitalities of the sense possessed.[3]
According to Sacred Jain text, Sarvārthasiddhi: "Immobile beings (sthāvara jīvās) possess the four vitalities of the sense-organ of touch, strength of body or energy, respiration and life-duration.[4]
The five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing)
Energy
Respiration
Life-duration
The organ of speech
The mind
According to major Jain text, Tattvarthsutra: "The severance of vitalities out of passion is injury". Because life is to be considered sacred and in every living thing, Jains avoid killing any living creature. They are not only vegetarian, but decline to eat vegetables that grow under the ground because each underground stem contains infinite number of vitalities each of that can potentially grow into full-fledged plants. The table below summarizes the vitalities that living beings possess in accordance with their senses:[5]
Senses
Number of vitalities
Vitalities
One sense
Four
Sense organ of touch, strength of body or energy, respiration, and life-duration.
Two sense
Six
The sense of taste and the organ of speech in addition to the former four.
Three sense
Seven
The sense of smell in addition to the former six.
Four sense
Eight
The sense of sight in addition to the former seven.
Five-sensed beings
Nine
The sense of hearing in addition to the former eight.
Ten
Mind in addition to the above-mentioned nine vitalities.
↑ Pujyapada (Shri.) (1960). S. A. Jain (ed.). Reality. Vira Sasana Sangha. pp.62–63. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
↑ Pujyapada (Shri.) (1960). S. A. Jain (ed.). Reality. Vira Sasana Sangha. pp.62–63. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
