Jīva (Jainism)

[1] As per Jain cosmology, jīva or soul is the principle of sentience and is one of the tattvas or one of the fundamental substances forming part of the universe.

The Jain metaphysics, states Jagmanderlal Jaini, divides the universe into two independent, everlasting, co-existing and uncreated categories called the jiva (soul) and the ajiva (Sanskrit: अजीव non-soul).

[10] Further, Jaina traditions believe that there exist Abhavya (incapable), or a class of souls that can never attain moksha (liberation).

Perturbing, harming or killing any life form, including any human being, is considered a sin in Jainism, with negative karmic effects.

Jainism considers it a bad karma to injure plants and minor life forms with negative impact on a soul's Saṃsāra.

[23] However, some texts in Buddhism and Hinduism do caution a person from injuring all life forms, including plants and seeds.

[23][24][25] According to the Jain text, Samayasāra: Know that the Jiva (soul) which rests on pure faith, knowledge, and conduct, alone is the Real Self.

Depiction of the concept of soul (in transmigration) in Jainism. Golden color represents nokarma – the quasi-karmic matter, Cyan color depicts dravya karma – the subtle karmic matter, orange represents the bhav karma – the psycho-physical karmic matter and White depicts sudhatma , the pure consciousness.
Classification of Saṃsāri Jīvas (Transmigrating Souls) as per Jainism.