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Question: Who among you agree with the concept of reality in Jain cosmology!?
Who among you agree with the following concept of reality in Jain cosmology!?

" 'This universe is not created nor sustained by anyone; It is self sustaining, without any base or support' 'Nishpaadito Na Kenaapi Na Dhritah Kenachichch Sah Swayamsiddho Niradhaaro Gagane Kimtvavasthitah' [Yoga?āstra of ācārya Hemacandra 4!.106] Tr by Dr!. A!. S!. Gopani"


"This Universe is made up of what Jains call as six dravya or reals or substances classified as follows –

* Jīva i!.e!. Living Substances

Jīva i!.e!. Souls - Soul (Jīva) exists as a reality, having a separate existence from the body that houses it!. It is characterised by chetana i!.e!. consciousness and upayoga i!.e!. knowledge and perception!. [3]Though the soul experiences both birth and death, it is neither really destroyed nor created!. Decay and origin refer respectively to the disappearing of one state of soul and appearing of another state, these being merely the modes of the soul!. [4]

* Ajīva i!.e!. or Non-Living Substances
o Pudgala i!.e!. Matter - Matter is classified as solid, liquid, gaseous, energy, fine Karmic materials and extra-fine matter i!.e!. ultimate particles!. Paramā?u or ultimate particle (atoms) is the basic building block of all matter!. One of the qualities of the Paramā?u and Pudgala is that of permanence and indestructibility!. It combines and changes its modes but its basic qualities remain the same!. According to Jainism, it cannot be created nor destroyed!.
o Dharma-tattva i!.e Principle of Motion and
o Adharma-tattva i!.e!. Principle of Rest - Dharmastikāya and Adharmastikāya are distinctly peculiar to Jaina system of thought depicting the principle of Motion and Rest!. They are said to pervade entire universe!. Dharma and Adharma are by itself not motion or rest but mediate motion and rest in other bodies!. Without Dharmastikāya motion is not possible and without Adharmastikāya rest is not possible in universe!.
o ākā?a i!.e Space - Space is a substance that accommodates the living souls, the matter, the principle of motion, the principle of rest and time!. It is all-pervading, infinite and made of infinite space-points!.
o Kāla i!.e!. Time - Kāla is a real entity according to Jainism and all activities, changes or modifications can be achieved only through the progress of time!."

Source: http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Jain_cosmol!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I do agree with the general analytical framework in which the cosmology is arranged!. But "reality" itself is relative in Jaina philosophy!. It is 'avyakta', not clear!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Jainism or whichever text brings you closer to yourself is right!.If you keep on debating before long you will realize that you waisted this very precious moment of your's , because in the end there will be ashes!. Remember whichever text makes any claims, all the claims are of EGO and LUST and this universe is neither EGO nor LUST!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I do not agree!.

Jainism, has no original concepts!. It takes everything from the Vedic wisdom minus the God principle!.Www@QuestionHome@Com