Guṇa is a term in Jainism for the attributes or quality of

Dravya Dravya ( sa, द्रव्य) means substance or entity. According to the Jain philosophy, the universe is made up of six eternal substances: sentient beings or souls ('' jīva''), non-sentient substance or matter (''pudgala''), principle o ...

, or substance. As per Jain cosmology, the universe is made up of Dravya, or substances, that are infinite in number but fall into six by categories. All substances have attributes that exist in all the parts and in all of the conditions or modes. In other words, attributes reside the substance. In addition to occupying the same space as the substance, attributes stay in the substance at all the time without any exception. Each substance has one unique attribute that distinguishes if from the other types of substances. The concepts of Guṇa (attributes) and Dravya (substances) are what differentiates Jain worldview from Buddhist worldview. The Jain worldview claims that real cause of all the phenomena in the universe is the attributive and substantive base of those phenomena whereas Buddhist Worldview denies the existence of attributive or substantive base for any of the phenomena in the universe.

Types

While the number of possible guṇa is infinite, they can be categorized into two types: ''sāmanya-guṇa'' (common/generic attributes) and ''vishesha-guṇa'' (special/specific attributes). Sāmanya-guṇa, or common/generic attributes, can be found generally in all substances. Examples of common attributes are: * ''Astitva'' – existence * ''Vastutva'' – functionality * ''Dravyatva'' – changeability * ''Prameyatva''- knowability or knowableness * ''Agurulaghutva'' – constancy of individuality * ''Pradeshatva'' – shape formation or retentivity In contrast, vishesha-guṇa, or special/specific attributes, are not found in all types of substances but are exist only in its own substance. The following are examples, though not a complete list, of specific attributes for each dravya (substances): * '' Jīva'' (soul) – consciousness, conduct, bliss * ''

Pudgala In Jainism, Pudgala (or ') is one of the six Dravyas, or aspects of reality that fabricate the world we live in. The six ''dravya''s include the jiva and the fivefold divisions of ajiva (non-living) category: ''dharma'' (motion), ''adharma'' ( ...

'' (matter) – color, texture, odor, taste * '' Dharma'' (medium of motion) – motion-causation * ''

Adharma Adharma is the Sanskrit antonym of dharma. It means "that which is not in accord with the dharma". Connotations include betrayal, discord, disharmony, unnaturalness, wrongness, evil, immorality, unrighteousness, wickedness, and vice..In Indi ...

'' (medium of rest) – stationariness-causation * '' Ākāśa'' (space) – accommodation-causation * ''

Kāla Kala ( sa, काल, lit=Time, translit=Kālá/Kālam), ) is a Sanskrit term that means "time" or "death." As time personified, destroying all things, Kala is a god of death, and often used as one of the epithets of Yama. In Shaivism, Kala ...

'' (time) – function-causation

References

{{Jainism topics Jain cosmology