Difference between revisions of "Jain beliefs about the universe"
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| − | Jains believe that the universe we perceive really exists and is not an illusion. It contains two classes of thing: jivas - living souls, and ajivas - non-living objects, which include everything else, including space. | + | [[Jains]] believe that the [[universe]] we perceive really exists and is not an illusion. It contains two classes of thing: [[jivas]] - living souls, and [[ajivas]] - non-living objects, which include everything else, including space. |
| − | Nothing in the universe is ever destroyed or created, they simply change from one form to another. | + | Nothing in the [[universe]] is ever destroyed or created, they simply change from one form to another. |
| − | Jains believe that the universe has always existed and will always exist. It is regulated by cosmic laws and kept going by its own energy processes. This concept of the universe is compatible with modern scientific thinking. | + | [[Jains]] believe that the [[universe]] has always existed and will always exist. It is regulated by cosmic laws and kept going by its own energy processes. This concept of the [[universe]] is compatible with modern scientific thinking. |
| − | Jains do not believe that the universe was created by any sort of god. | + | [[Jains]] do not believe that the [[universe]] was created by any sort of [[god]]. |
| − | The Jain word that comes closest to the western idea of the universe is "loka". | + | The [[Jain]] word that comes closest to the western idea of the [[universe]] is "[[loka]]". |
| − | The loka is the framework of the universe. It contains the world we experience at the moment, as well as the worlds of heaven and hell. | + | The [[loka]] is the framework of the [[universe]]. It contains the world we experience at the moment, as well as the worlds of heaven and [[hell]]. |
| − | The loka exists in space. Space is infinite, the universe is not. | + | The [[loka]] exists in space. Space is infinite, the [[universe]] is not. The nature of the universe |
| − | The nature of the universe | ||
| − | The Jain universe is in five parts: | + | |
| + | The [[Jain universe]] is in five parts: | ||
The supreme abode: | The supreme abode: | ||
| + | |||
The region where liberated beings live for ever. | The region where liberated beings live for ever. | ||
| + | |||
The upper world: | The upper world: | ||
| + | |||
the region where celestial beings live, but not for ever | the region where celestial beings live, but not for ever | ||
| + | |||
The middle world: | The middle world: | ||
| + | |||
the region where human beings live | the region where human beings live | ||
| − | this is the only part of the universe from which a being can achieve enlightenment | + | |
| + | this is the only part of the [[universe]] from which a being can achieve [[enlightenment]] | ||
| + | |||
The lower world: | The lower world: | ||
| − | this region consists of seven hells where beings are tormented by demons and by each other | + | |
| + | this region consists of seven [[hells]] where beings are tormented by [[demons]] and by each other | ||
their torment does not last for ever | their torment does not last for ever | ||
| + | |||
The base | The base | ||
| + | |||
the region where the lowest forms of life live | the region where the lowest forms of life live | ||
Time | Time | ||
| − | Jains regard historical time as cyclical. The universe moves through lengthy eras of time which Jains usually describe as like the series of downward and upward movements of a point on the rim of a turning wheel. | + | [[Jains]] regard historical time as cyclical. The [[universe]] moves through lengthy eras of time which [[Jains]] usually describe as like the series of downward and upward movements of a point on the rim of a turning wheel. |
| − | The downward movement is called avarsarpini and the upward movement is called utsarpini. Each full turn of the wheel is called a kalpa. | + | The downward movement is called [[avarsarpini]] and the upward movement is called [[utsarpini]]. Each full turn of the wheel is called a [[kalpa]]. |
| − | Each cycle is divided into 6 ages, represented by spokes. The first three spokes of a downward cycle are a golden age after which conditions decline until Jainism dies out in the 6th spoke. This is reversed in the following upward cycle, and so on. | + | Each cycle is divided into 6 ages, represented by spokes. The first three spokes of a downward cycle are a golden age after which conditions decline until [[Jainism]] dies out in the 6th spoke. This is reversed in the following upward cycle, and so on. |
| − | Each full turn of the wheel takes a very long time: effectively an infinity - long enough for the lives of 24 tirthankaras. | + | Each full turn of the wheel takes a very long time: effectively an infinity - long enough for the lives of 24 [[tirthankaras]]. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Substances ([[Dravyas]]) | |
| − | All forms of substance except space are confined within the loka (universe). | + | Substances: [[astikaya]] |
| + | |||
| + | [[Jains]] believe that everything falls into one of five or six categories of substance that are called [[astikaya]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | All forms of substance except space are confined within the [[loka]] ([[universe]]). | ||
The categories of substance are: | The categories of substance are: | ||
| − | Jiva | + | |
| + | [[Jiva]] | ||
The closest English word to jiva is 'soul'. The soul is: | The closest English word to jiva is 'soul'. The soul is: | ||
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made of some form of energy | made of some form of energy | ||
without physical form | without physical form | ||
| − | able to be 'embodied'. An embodied jiva is given a form using things from the other four or five categories. A jiva adapts its size to fill whatever body it is in. | + | able to be 'embodied'. An embodied [[jiva]] is given a form using things from the other four or five categories. A [[jiva]] adapts its size to fill whatever body it is in. |
when pure, omniscient and totally blissful | when pure, omniscient and totally blissful | ||
| − | Dharma | + | [[Dharma]] |
| − | Dharma is the medium of motion: | + | [[Dharma]] is the medium of motion: |
| − | the substrate for souls/jivas and atoms whose natural state is motion | + | the substrate for souls/[[jivas]] and atoms whose natural state is motion |
| − | Adharma | + | [[Adharma]] |
| − | Adharma is the medium of non-motion: | + | [[Adharma]] is the medium of non-motion: |
| − | the substrate for souls/jivas and atoms whose natural state is rest | + | the substrate for souls/[[jivas]] and atoms whose natural state is rest |
| − | Pudgala | + | [[Pudgala]] |
| − | Pudgala is matter: | + | [[Pudgala]] is matter: |
the source of physical matter i.e. those things which can be touched, tasted, seen and/or smelled | the source of physical matter i.e. those things which can be touched, tasted, seen and/or smelled | ||
| − | pudgala is what gives the jiva/soul the experience of pleasure and pain, birth and death | + | [[pudgala]] is what gives the [[jiva]]/soul the experience of pleasure and pain, birth and death |
| − | the karma particles which stick to the jiva/soul are made out of pudgala | + | the [[karma]] particles which stick to the [[jiva]]/soul are made out of [[pudgala]] |
| − | Akasa | + | [[Akasa]] |
| − | + | [[Akasha]] is space: | |
the place in which the 'things' above function | the place in which the 'things' above function | ||
| − | it extends beyond the loka - i.e. beyond the boundaries of the universe | + | it extends beyond the [[loka]] - i.e. beyond the boundaries of the universe |
| + | |||
| + | [[Kala]] | ||
| − | Kala | + | [[Kala]] is the substance of time. |
| − | + | Not all [[Jains]] include this category as a substance | |
| − | |||
| − | The last 4 or 5 groups are ajiva or "non-soul", and have no consciousness. Together they provide the physical structure for a jiva/soul to operate in the universe. | + | The last 4 or 5 groups are [[ajiva]] or "non-soul", and have no consciousness. Together they provide the physical structure for a [[jiva]]/soul to operate in the [[universe]]. |
| − | The universe changes because of the interactions between the categories. | + | The [[universe]] changes because of the interactions between the categories. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
Revision as of 10:19, 28 June 2019
Jains believe that the universe we perceive really exists and is not an illusion. It contains two classes of thing: jivas - living souls, and ajivas - non-living objects, which include everything else, including space.
Nothing in the universe is ever destroyed or created, they simply change from one form to another.
Jains believe that the universe has always existed and will always exist. It is regulated by cosmic laws and kept going by its own energy processes. This concept of the universe is compatible with modern scientific thinking.
Jains do not believe that the universe was created by any sort of god.
The Jain word that comes closest to the western idea of the universe is "loka".
The loka is the framework of the universe. It contains the world we experience at the moment, as well as the worlds of heaven and hell.
The loka exists in space. Space is infinite, the universe is not. The nature of the universe
The Jain universe is in five parts:
The supreme abode:
The region where liberated beings live for ever.
The upper world:
the region where celestial beings live, but not for ever
The middle world:
the region where human beings live
this is the only part of the universe from which a being can achieve enlightenment
The lower world:
this region consists of seven hells where beings are tormented by demons and by each other
their torment does not last for ever
The base
the region where the lowest forms of life live
Time
Jains regard historical time as cyclical. The universe moves through lengthy eras of time which Jains usually describe as like the series of downward and upward movements of a point on the rim of a turning wheel.
The downward movement is called avarsarpini and the upward movement is called utsarpini. Each full turn of the wheel is called a kalpa.
Each cycle is divided into 6 ages, represented by spokes. The first three spokes of a downward cycle are a golden age after which conditions decline until Jainism dies out in the 6th spoke. This is reversed in the following upward cycle, and so on.
Each full turn of the wheel takes a very long time: effectively an infinity - long enough for the lives of 24 tirthankaras.
Substances (Dravyas)
Substances: astikaya
Jains believe that everything falls into one of five or six categories of substance that are called astikaya.
All forms of substance except space are confined within the loka (universe).
The categories of substance are:
Jiva
The closest English word to jiva is 'soul'. The soul is:
eternal and conscious
made of some form of energy
without physical form
able to be 'embodied'. An embodied jiva is given a form using things from the other four or five categories. A jiva adapts its size to fill whatever body it is in.
when pure, omniscient and totally blissful
Dharma
Dharma is the medium of motion:
the substrate for souls/jivas and atoms whose natural state is motion
Adharma
Adharma is the medium of non-motion:
the substrate for souls/jivas and atoms whose natural state is rest
Pudgala
Pudgala is matter:
the source of physical matter i.e. those things which can be touched, tasted, seen and/or smelled
pudgala is what gives the jiva/soul the experience of pleasure and pain, birth and death
the karma particles which stick to the jiva/soul are made out of pudgala
Akasa
Akasha is space:
the place in which the 'things' above function
it extends beyond the loka - i.e. beyond the boundaries of the universe
Kala
Kala is the substance of time.
Not all Jains include this category as a substance
The last 4 or 5 groups are ajiva or "non-soul", and have no consciousness. Together they provide the physical structure for a jiva/soul to operate in the universe.
The universe changes because of the interactions between the categories.
Source
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/beliefs/universe_1.shtml
