CLASSIFICATION

The Universe consists of two classes. Living beings Jiv Non Living beings Ajiv LIVING BEINGS A living being will grow, decay, eat, sleep, etc i.e human characteristics

All living beings are called Jivas. jivas have a consciousness known as the soul, which is also called the atma (soul - chetan). The soul and body are two different entities. The soul cannot be reproduced. It is described as a sort of energy which is indestructible, invisible, and shapeless. The body is merely a home for the soul. At the time of death, the soul leaves the body to occupy a new one. Tirthankaras have said that the soul has an infinite capacity to know and perceive. This capacity of the soul is not experienced in its present state because of accumulated karmas.

Living beings are further classified into 5 categories. ONE SENSE BEING EKENDRIYA They only have the sense of touch They are further sub divided into 5 sub categories 1. Earthbodied (Prithvikaya) e.g. clay, sand, metal, coral

2. Waterbodied (Apkaya) e.g. dew, fog, ice-berg, rain

3. Firebodied (Teukaya) e.g. flames, lightening, hot ash

4. Airbodied (Vayukaya) e.g. wind, hurricane, tornadoes, whirlwinds, etc

5. Plantbodied (Vanaspatikaya) They grow and reproduce and hence are accepted as living beings. e.g trees, plants, seeds, flowers, etc

Jainism explains that innumerable souls lives in every plant, tree, fruit and vegetables. A single cell of every plant contains one or many souls depending upon the plant life is further divided into two sub categories. Pratkeya Vanaspati Kaya Jiv Pratyeka means each or one such plants have one soul exist in a single cell. Anything that grows above the ground are such examples

Sadharan Vanaspati Kaya Jiv Sadharan means common It means one cell has many souls. This type of plant life is called multi organic. Therefore are called anantakaya e.g. roots, potatoes or underground vegetables.

TWO SENSED BEINGS BEINDRIYA Examples include shells, earthworms They have two senses touch and taste. They are mobile beings

THREE SENSED BEINGS TREINDRIYA Examples are ants, centipede, snails, beetles, bed bugs, moths, white ants, etc. They have three senses namely touch, taste and smell

FOUR SENSED BEING CHAURINDRIYA They have the sense of touch, smell, taste and sight. Egs are spiders, scorpions, locusts, flies, crickets, mosquitoes etc.

FIVE SENSED BEING PANCHINDRIYA Egs human, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, celestial beings, hellish beings etc

They are classified into four sub categories

Human Beings (Manushya)

Celestial Beings (Dev Lok)

Animals (Tiryanch)

Hellish Beings (Narak)

Among the five sense beings, some have minds and some dont Those having a capacity of rational thinking (eg humans) are called Sanjni Panchindriya) and those without (eg animals) are called Asanjni Panchindriya) Among them the worldiest happiness is found in the celestial beings world (Dev Lok) while the worldiest sufferings is found in the Hellish (Infernal) beings (Narak)

1. Manushya Jains believe that one can attain liberation only by being born as a human being. Humans have the ability to think and reason. Their ability to eliminate Karma through self control known as sanyam or austerity (Tap) and meditation can lead them to liberation. 2. Dev Lok (Celestial Beings) They have superior capabilities and more materialistic pleasure compared to human beings but this life of pleasure is not permanent. They cannot adopt restraints or eliminate attachments (rag) or aversions (dvesh) Therefore there is no liberation from the heavenly life and such heavenly beings will have to be reborn as human beings in order to attain liberation. 3. Tiryanch (Animals) These are viewed as living beings of a lower consciousness. Although some animals may be capable to a certain degree of passivity and dependency, in short their life is not conducive for attaining liberation or moksha. 4. Narak (Hellish beings) As a hellish being in Narak one is continuously fighting thus causing more suffering to others and living in misery. Such a life is not suitable for spiritual pursuit. In conclusion, in this human life as we grow and die, we need to overcome the cycle of worldly existence and attain moksha. In order to do that we should strive to attain the 3 Jewels of Jainism Samyak Darshan Perfection Perception / Intuition Samyak Gnan Perfect Knowledge Samyak Charitra Perfect Conduct Samyak Charitra Samyak Charitra is conduct based an understand. One who has achieved Samyak Charitra would not behave irrationally. For him living becomes a peaceful experience filled with, selfconfidence, He would respect other peoples feelings. He will not do anything which is morally or ethically wrong. Samyak Darshan Samyak Darshan bring rational world vision. One who possesses Samyak Darshan will view the wings with a matured vision. He will never be driven away by feelings. He would make a balanced judgment through his improved vision. He will not be interested in viewing means of worldly pleasures. His vision will be pure and just. Samyak Gyan Samyak Gyan is rational knowledge. It is not merely information, but he thorough knowledge of what is good, what is bad, what is necessary, what is necessary, what is worthy and what is unworthy. It is pure knowledge which not only sharpens the intellect, but shapes it. It is a knowledge which is a stating point for journey to liberation.