Sin death and beyond
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SIN, DEATH AND BEYOND: M.M.NINAN<br />
Jainism which is strictly vegetarian <strong>and</strong> non-killing religion in the world has identified plants as<br />
two types<br />
1. Vanaspatikäya or Plant Bodied Jiva:<br />
It is well known that plants grow, reproduce, etc., <strong>and</strong> they are accepted as living beings.<br />
Trees, plants, branches, flowers, leaves, seeds, etc. are some examples of plant life. The<br />
Sanskrit term for plant is vanaspati <strong>and</strong> therefore such jivas are called vanaspatikäya jiva.<br />
A plant life can have one or more souls in a single body <strong>and</strong>, depending upon this, plant life is<br />
further divided into the following two sub-categories:<br />
Pratyek Vanaspatikäya Jiva:<br />
Pratyek means special one. Such plant life have one soul in one body. Therefore, they are<br />
called pratyek vanaspatikäya.<br />
Trees, plants, bushes, stem, branches, leaves, <strong>and</strong> seeds, etc., are all examples of pratyek<br />
vanaspatikäya jiva.<br />
Sädhäran Vanaspatikäya Jiva:<br />
Sädhäran means common. In such plant life many souls occupy the same body making this<br />
type of plant life multi-organic. Therefore, such plant life is called sädhäran vanaspatikäya jiva.<br />
This kind of plants life have an infinite number of souls in one body are called "Anantkäya".<br />
Roots such as potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, beats, etc., belong to this category.<br />
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