In Jainism, Paryaya refers to the modes, modifications, or states that a substance (dravya) undergoes over time. Every dravya (substance) has two aspects: dravya (substance itself) and paryaya (its changing modes or conditions). Paryaya represents the ever-changing states or conditions of a substance, while dravya is the underlying permanent reality.

Types of Paryaya

Jain texts generally describe two main types of Paryaya:

1. Mūrta Paryaya (Physical/Material Modes)

- These are the modifications or states observed in physical substances (like matter). - Example: The transformation of a seed into a sprout, then a plant, and so on.

1. Amūrta Paryaya (Non-material Modes)

- These are the modifications or states observed in non-physical substances, like soul (jiva) or consciousness. - Example: Changes in the state of knowledge or perception in the soul.

Alternatively, Paryaya can also be understood from the perspective of time:

• Kṣaṇika Paryaya (Momentary Modes): Each momentary state a substance takes is a paryaya.
• Nitya Paryaya (Continuous Modes): The continuous flow of these momentary changes.

Philosophical Importance

Paryaya illustrates the Jain doctrine of anekantavada (many-sidedness), showing that every substance has infinite modes and aspects. It helps explain the principle of parināmavāda—everything is constantly changing in terms of its modes, even though the underlying substance remains permanent.

In summary: Paryaya refers to the ever-changing states or modifications of a substance. The main types are related to physical (mūrta) and non-physical (amūrta) substances, or can be viewed as momentary (kṣaṇika) and continuous (nitya) modes.