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

Dravya ''Dravya'' () 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 of motion (''dharma'' ...

, or substance. As per

Jain cosmology Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the Universe (''loka'') and its constituents (such as living beings, matter, space, time etc.) according to Jainism. Jain cosmology considers the universe as an uncreated entity t ...

, 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 Dravya (Jainism), 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'' (motio ...

'' (matter) – color, texture, odor, taste * ''

Dharma Dharma (; , ) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term ''dharma'' does not have a single, clear Untranslatability, translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit ''dhr-'', meaning ''to hold ...

'' (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. Descriptio ...

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

Kāla Kala (, ) 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 is known as the fiery avatar of Shiva, Bhairava, K ...

'' (time) – function-causation

References

{{Jainism topics Jain cosmology