Philosophical Concepts in Ancient Jaina Literature

Summary

This paper surveys key philosophical ideas embedded in ancient Jain texts and demonstrates how these ideas formed a cohesive worldview. It begins by introducing the fundamental dichotomy between jīva (sentient soul) and ajīva (inert matter) and explains how the bondage of karma links the two. The article then outlines the seven tattvas or nine padārthas used to describe the path of liberation: jīva, ajīva, āsrava (influx of karmic particles), bandha (bondage), saṃvara (stoppage), nirjarā (shedding) and mokṣa (liberation). Each is elucidated with examples from canonical texts like the Tattvārtha Sūtra. The principle of ahiṃsā, or non‑violence, is highlighted as the ethical cornerstone of Jain practice and is connected to the broader metaphysical claim that all souls are bound by their actions. The author also discusses concepts such as pariṇāma (momentary modification), leśyā (psychic coloration) and guṇa‑sthāna (stages of spiritual development), showing how they fit into a rigorous philosophical system. Differences between the Śvetāmbara and Digambara interpretations are noted, particularly in the areas of cosmology and scriptural authority. The paper further explores Jain logic, particularly the doctrines of anekāntavāda and syādvāda, which advocate for non‑absolutism and conditional predication. By analysing the interconnections between metaphysics, ethics and epistemology, the author argues that Jain philosophy is not merely an ascetic creed but a sophisticated intellectual tradition. The article concludes that these ancient concepts continue to offer insights into issues such as environmental ethics, religious tolerance and the psychology of self‑discipline.