Answer

No. In Jainism, prions are not generally considered living beings.

Explanation

Jainism classifies living beings as jīva—souls that are embodied in living forms and associated with life processes and perception according to their state and number of senses.

Prions, from a Jain perspective, would not be treated as jīva because:

• They are not recognized in Jain tradition as a living class of beings.
• They do not fit the Jain categories of embodied living entities.
• They are understood in modern biology as infectious proteins, not independent living souls.

So, while Jainism deeply respects all forms of life, prions would not ordinarily be counted among living beings in Jain doctrine.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain ethics focuses on avoiding harm to all forms of life that possess jīva. The tradition’s concern is especially with beings that can be harmed through movement, sensation, and embodiment.

Because prions do not fall into the traditional Jain understanding of living beings, they are not usually included in the scope of Jain non-violence in the same way as animals, plants, microorganisms, or other life forms.

Takeaway

In Jainism, prions are not normally regarded as living beings, since they do not fit the Jain category of jīva.