Guṇa (Jainism)

Term in Jainism for the attributes or quality of Dravya, or substance

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Part of a series on

Jainism

* Jains
* History
* Timeline
* Index

Philosophy

* Anekantavada
* Cosmology
* Ahimsa
* Karma
* Dharma
* Mokṣa
* Kevala Jnana
* Dravya
* Tattva
* Brahmacarya
* Aparigraha
* Gunasthana
* Saṃsāra

Ethics

Ethics of Jainism

Mahavratas (major vows)

* Ahiṃsā (non-violence)
* Satya (truth)
* Asteya (non-stealing)
* Brahmacarya (chastity)
* Aparigraha (non-possession)

Anuvratas (further vows)

* Sāmāyika
* Sallekhana

Jain prayers

* Bhaktamara Stotra
* Micchami Dukkadam
* Navkar Mantra
* Ṇamōkāra mantra
* Jai Jinendra

Major figures

* The 24 Tirthankaras
* Rishabha
* Pārśva
* Mahavira
* Arihant
* Ganadhara
* Kundakunda
* Siddhasena
* Samantabhadra
* Haribhadra
* Yashovijaya

Major sects

Schools and Branches

* Digambara
* Śvetāmbara

Jain literature

* Samayasāra (Digambara)
* Pravachanasara (Digambara)
* Agama (Śvetāmbara)
* Tattvartha Sutra
* Dravyasamgraha (Digambara)
* Kalpa Sūtra (Śvetāmbara)
* Uttaradhyayana (Śvetāmbara)
* Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi
* Silappatikaram
* Valayapathi

Festivals

* Diwali
* Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
* Paryushana
* Samvatsari

Pilgrimages

Tirth

* Abu
* Palitana
* Girnar
* Shikharji
* Shravanabelagola

Other

* Ekendriya
* Temples
* Jain flag
* Jain symbols
* Parasparopagraho Jivanam
* Topics list

* Religion portal

* v
* t
* e

Guṇa is a term in Jainism for the attributes or quality of Dravya, or substance.[1][2] 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.[3][4] 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.[citation needed] 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

[edit]

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 (matter) – color, texture, odor, taste
* Dharma (medium of motion) – motion-causation
* Adharma (medium of rest) – stationariness-causation
* Ākāśa (space) – accommodation-causation
* Kāla (time) – function-causation

## References

[edit]

1. ^ (WebMaster), Prem Gada. "Jain Glossary". www.cs.colostate.edu.
2. ^ Shah, Natubhai (November 1998). Jainism: the world of conquerors, Volume 2. Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 9781898723318 - via Google Books.
3. ^ (WebMaster), Pandit Gopaldasji Baraiya, Rajesh Shah. "Principles of Jainism (Laghu Jain Siddhant Praveshika) in a concise form". www.atmadharma.com.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
4. ^ Prasad, Brahmachari Shital (1951). "Jainism: A Key To True Happiness". Shri Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra Mahavirji - via archive.org.

* v
* t
* e

Jainism topics

Gods|

* Tirthankara
* Ganadhara
* Arihant

Philosophy|

* Five Vows
* Ahimsa
* Epistemology
* Kevala Jñāna
* Jaina logic
* Anekāntavāda
* Jain cosmology
* Siddhashila
* Naraka
* Heavenly beings
* Karma
* Types
* Causes
* Gunasthana
* Dravya
* Jīva
* Ajiva
* Pudgala
* Dharma
* Tattva
* Asrava
* Bandha
* Samvara
* Nirjara
* Mokṣa
* Death
* Saṃsāra
* Ratnatraya
* Kashaya

Branches|

| Digambara|

* Mula Sangha
* Balatkara Gana
* Kashtha Sangha
* Taran Panth
* Bispanthi
* Terapanth
* Yapaniya
* Kanji Panth

|

Śvetāmbara|

* Murtipujaka
* Gaccha
* Kharatara
* Tapa
* Tristutik
* Sthānakavāsī
* Terapanth

Practices|

* Sallekhana
* Meditation
* Sāmāyika
* Monasticism
* Vegetarianism
* Fasting
* Rituals
* Festivals
* Paryushana
* Kshamavani
* Mahamastakabhisheka
* Upadhan
* Tapas
* Pratikramana

Literature|

* Agama
* Pravachanasara
* Shatkhandagama
* Kasayapahuda
* Mantra
* Namokar Mantra
* Bhaktamara Stotra
* Tattvartha Sutra
* Samayasāra
* Aptamimamsa
* Kalpa Sūtra
* Uttaradhyayana

Symbols|

* Jain flag
* Siddhachakra
* Ashtamangala
* Shrivatsa
* Nandavarta
* Auspicious dreams
* Swastika

Ascetics|

* Digambara monk
* Aryika
* Kshullak
* Pattavali
* Acharya

Scholars|

* Nalini Balbir
* Colette Caillat
* Chandabai
* John E. Cort
* Paul Dundas
* Virchand Gandhi
* Hermann Jacobi
* Champat Rai Jain
* Padmanabh Jaini
* Jeffery D. Long
* Hampa Nagarajaiah
* Bal Patil
* Jinendra Varni

Community|

* Śrāvaka
* Sarak
* Tamil
* Organisations
* Digambar Jain Mahasabha
* Vishwa Jain Sangathan
* JAINA

Jainism in|

| India|

* Bundelkhand
* Delhi
* Goa
* Gujarat
* Haryana
* Karnataka
* North
* Kerala
* Maharashtra
* Mumbai
* Rajasthan
* Tamil Nadu
* Uttar Pradesh

|

Overseas|

* Africa
* Australia
* Belgium
* Canada
* Europe
* Hong Kong
* Japan
* Pakistan
* Singapore
* Southeast Asia
* United States

Jainism and|

* Buddhism
* Hinduism
* Islam
* Sikhism
* Non-creationism

Dynasties and empires|

* Chalukya
* Ganga
* Hoysala
* Ikshvaku
* Kadamba
* Kalinga
* Maurya
* Pandya
* Rashtrakuta
* Santara

Related|

* History
* Timeline
* Ekendriya
* Pañca-Parameṣṭhi
* Pratima
* Śalākāpuruṣa
* Tirtha
* Samavasarana
* Jain calendar
* Samvatsari
* Panch Kalyanaka
* Statue of Ahimsa
* Temple
* Stupa
* Sculpture
* Art
* Law
* Nigoda
* Jain terms and concepts
* Sexual differences

Lists|

* List of Jains
* List of Jain temples
* List of Jain ascetics
* List of Digambar Jain ascetics
* Topics List (index)

Navboxes|

* Gods
* Literature
* Monks & nuns
* Scholars
* Temples
* America
* Bengal

Religion portal
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template