Articles · Philosophy

Concept of Soul and Liberation in Jainism

Kusum Doley · Published 2015

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ShrutSangam GyanBhandars JainTatvaGyanshala

Jainism is primarily an ethical teaching and its aim is the perfection of the soul. The idea of the soul has occupied an important place in Jaina Philosophy. The whole universe is brought under the two everlasting, uncreated, eternal and co-existing categories which are called which are Jiva and Ajiva. Jiva means the conscious spirit and Ajiva means the unconscious non-spirit. According to Jainism a Jiva or a soul is a conscious substance. Consciousness is the essence of the soul. Jiva is self-illuminated and illuminated other things also. The soul is eternal, but it also undergoes, changes of states. Jainism is realistic and pluralistic. It believes in the reality of the world with all the plural objects in it. When the soul is freed from bondage of karma and has transcended the possibility of rebirth, it attains liberation. Karma is a subtle matter which enters into the soul and causes its bondage. By ignorance the soul identifies itself with matter. Karma is the link which unites the soul to the body. Ignorance of truth and four passions which are called Kasaya or sticky substance. The state when Karmic particles actually begin to flow towards the soul to bind. The state when these particles actually infiltrate into the soul and bind it is called bandha or bondage. In Jainism liberation can come only through true discrimination between soul and matter. It bondage of the soul is its association with matter, liberation must mean the complete dissociation of the soul from matter. This can be attained by complete elimination of the matter with which the soul has become already mingled. Right faith, knowledge and conduct are the three Jewels (tri-ratna) of Jainism. They are inseparably bound up and perfection of one goes with the perfection of the other two. This paper is an attempt to study the concept of Soul and Liberation in Jainism. Read more