Ajiva: The Non-Living in Jainism (अजीव: जैन धर्म में निर्जीव)

This article explains the concept of "Ajiva" in Jainism.

What is Ajiva?

• In simple terms, "Ajiva" (अजीव) refers to anything that is not alive, essentially the opposite of "Jiva" (जीव) which means soul or life.
• Imagine everything around you that doesn't breathe, think, or feel – those are all examples of "Ajiva". This includes things we see every day like:
  • प्राकृतिक चीजें: पहाड़ (mountains), नदियाँ (rivers), हवा (air), पानी (water), आग (fire)
  • मानव निर्मित चीजें: कुर्सी (chairs), कंप्यूटर (computers), कागज (paper), प्लास्टिक (plastic), कपड़े (clothes), घर (houses)

Why is Ajiva important in Jainism?

• Jainism believes in the concept of Karma. However, "Ajiva" being non-living, cannot perform actions and therefore cannot accumulate Karma (कर्म का बंधन नहीं होता).
• This also means that "Ajiva" cannot die (मृत्यु नहीं होती) because it was never truly born in the first place. It exists in a constant state, changing forms but never truly ceasing to be.

Understanding Ajiva and Jiva together:

• Jainism emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. While "Ajiva" itself is non-living, it plays a crucial role in the journey of the "Jiva" (soul).
• Our souls interact with the material world ("Ajiva") constantly. How we interact with "Ajiva" influences our Karma and ultimately our spiritual progress.

In Conclusion:

Understanding the concept of "Ajiva" is crucial to understanding the Jain philosophy. It highlights the distinction between the living and non-living while simultaneously emphasizing their interconnectedness in the grand scheme of existence.

Ajiva (Sanskrit) is anything that has no soul or life, the polar opposite of "jīva" (soul). Because ajiva has no life, it does not accumulate karma and cannot die. Examples of ajiva include chairs, computers, paper, plastic, etc.