In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra

Guṇapratyaya (गुणप्रत्यय) refers to “the spiritual purification by partial subsidence-cum-destruction of karmas” and represents one of the two types of clairvoyance (avadhi-jñāna), according to Tattvārthasūtra 1.21. Avadhi is to one of the five types of knowledge (jñāna), refers to the crisp knowledge of concrete objects/entities acquired, without the assistance of the mind and sensory organs but with the limitations of substance, modes, time and place is called clairvoyance.

When is one blessed with guṇa-pratyaya clairvoyance? Pratyaya means the cause (nimitta) or reason (kāraṇa). When a subsidence-cum-destruction of karmas becomes an attribute of a living being, then he is blessed with guṇa-pratyaya clairvoyance. Who can be blessed with guṇa-pratyaya clairvoyance? Human and subhuman beings (tiryañca) can be blessed with guṇa-pratyaya clairvoyance.

How many types of “clairvoyance due to subsidence cum destruction of karmas” (guṇa-pratyaya) are there? There are six types of this type of clairvoyance, namely

1. anugāmi (one which goes with the owner wherever he/ she goes i.e. follows the owner);
2. ananugāmi (which does not go with the owner from one state to another);
3. vardhamāna (which increases over time);
4. hīyamāna (which decreases over time);
5. avasthita (steady);
6. anavasthita (unsteady).

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Pratyaya, Guna.

Full-text: Avasthita, Anavasthita, Hiyamana, Vardhamana, Ubhaya, Ananugami, Anugami, Avadhi, Bhava, Kshetra.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Gunapratyaya, Guṇapratyaya, Guna-pratyaya, Guṇa-pratyaya; (plurals include: Gunapratyayas, Guṇapratyayas, pratyayas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)

Part 3 - Types of knowledge < [Chapter 2]

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Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study) (by Deepak bagadia)

Part 2.2 - Right knowledge (samyak jnana) < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]

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A study of the philosophy of Jainism (by Deepa Baruah)

Chapter II.c - Classification of Pramāṇa < [Chapter II - Jaina theory of Knowledge]

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