Vitalism (Jainism)

Part of a series on
Jain philosophy
Concepts
Anekāntavāda Syādvāda Epistemology Jain Cosmology Ahimsa Karma Dharma Vitalism Kevala Jñāna Mokṣa (Liberation) Dravya (Six eternal substances) Tattva (Seven fundamentals) Sangha (Community)
People
Ancient Kundakunda Samantabhadra Umāsvāmi Siddhasena Divākara Medieval Pujyapada Akalanka Jinasena Nemichandra Haribhadra Hemacandra Yaśovijaya Modern Champat Rai Jain Pt. Sukhlāl Bal Patil
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Vitalism is at the core of Jain philosophy which separates Jiva (soul or life) from Ajiva (non-soul). According to Jain cosmology, the whole universe is made up of six simple substances and is therefore eternal. These six substances (dravya) are:

• Jiva
• Time
• Space
• Dharma (medium of motion)
• Adharma
• Matter (Pudgala)

Jiva or soul is distinguished from the rest five (termed Ajiva) on account of the quality of intelligence with which it is endowed and of which the other substances are devoid.