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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 characteristicsAll 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 differententities. The soul cannot be reproduced. It is described as a sort of energy whichis indestructible, invisible, and shapeless. The body is merely a home for thesoul. 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 andperceive. This capacity of the soul is not experienced in its present state becauseof 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 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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FIVE SENSED BEING – PANCHINDRIYA

Egs human, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, celestial beings, hellish beings etc

 

They are classified into four sub categories

Human Celestial

Beings Beings(Manushya) (Dev Lok)

Animals Hellish

(Tiryanch) Beings

(Narak)

Among the five sense beings, some have minds and some don’t

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)

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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, self-

confidence, He would respect other peoples feelings. He will not do anything which ismorally 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 isunworthy. 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.