Part 3.3 - The doctrine of five bodies (subtle physiology)

[Full title: Doctrines of Jainism (3): The doctrine of five bodies (subtle physiology)]

[Cf. G. Feuerstein, The Yoga Traditions, Motilal Banarasidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, 2002, p.194]

The Jain scriptures classify our existence into five types of bodies. They are successively more subtle has his Hindu counterpart in the form of pancakosa in teachings of Taittiriya-Upanisad. This is also called as Subtle Sutrachology.

These subtle five bodies are:

1. Karman sarira;
2. Audarika sarira;
3. Vaikariya sarira;
4. Aharaka sarira;
5. Taijasa sarira;

1. Karman sarira: It is the inner most and subtlest layer. Here, karma matter with soul forms instrumental body which acts as a receptacle of karma and transmigrates at death and is reborn in different forms of life depending upon its karma.

2. Audarika sarira: The other forms of body are physical human body.

3. Vaikariya sarira: The transformation body that is acquired by ascetics and natural for higher beings like deities.

4. Aharaka sarira: The procurement body to be projected anywhere for temporary purpose.

5. Taijasa sarira: The fiery body is indestructible and survives death. The lower three bodies (2, 3 and 4) operate through its energy only.

There are two types of animate entities, those who are trapped in the cosmos of dependence and suffering are samsarims, and those who have escaped samsara, the wheel of continual becoming are siddhas or perfected ones. They are without spatial location and experience unlimited bliss of infinite consciousness.