Question

How does Jainism define "non-living" (ajiva) entities?

A) Non-living entities in Jainism are devoid of consciousness and are classified into five categories.
B) Ajiva in Jainism refers only to inanimate objects and not to living beings.
C) Jainism considers all entities, living and non-living, as possessing consciousness.
D) Non-living entities in Jainism are seen as inferior and irrelevant to spiritual progress.

Answer 1

Jainism defines non-living entities (ajiva) as devoid of consciousness and classifies them into five categories, contrasting with living beings (jiva) that possess consciousness and a soul.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Jainism, non-living entities (ajiva) are defined as devoid of consciousness and are said to be categorized into five types. This corresponds to option A from the given selections. Non-living entities are considered to lack life as they do not exhibit the key functions of life such as knowledge and movement. In Jain philosophy, everything is indeed alive but only living beings possess consciousness and a soul. Ajiva is therefore fundamentally different from living beings (jiva) because it does not possess the qualities of sentience or the ability to progress spiritually.