Answer

In Jain Dharma, the soul does not have a physical mind, but it has consciousness. Memory and thinking are connected with the soul’s consciousness, but in worldly life they function through the help of the mind, body, senses, and karmas.

So, simply:

• Soul has consciousness.
• Mind is not the soul.
• Memory is connected with consciousness, but in worldly existence it is influenced by karmas and mind.

Explanation

According to Jain philosophy, the soul is a living substance called jīva. Its essential qualities include:

• Knowledge
• Perception
• Consciousness
• Bliss
• Energy

The mind is considered a tool used by embodied souls. It helps in thinking, remembering, imagining, deciding, and planning. But the mind itself is not the real knower. The real knower is the soul.

In worldly life, the soul’s knowledge is covered by karmas, especially knowledge-obscuring karma. Because of this, memory and understanding appear limited.

Does the Soul Carry Memories from Past Lives?

Jain Dharma teaches that the soul continues from one birth to another, carrying karmas. However, ordinary souls usually do not remember past lives because karmic coverings and new bodies obstruct that knowledge.

Some advanced souls may gain special knowledge, such as jāti-smaraṇa jñāna, remembrance of previous births, due to spiritual purity and reduction of karmic obstruction.

Spiritual Understanding

The soul is not the brain, body, or mind. The mind is only an instrument. When karmas are removed completely, the soul manifests perfect knowledge called keval-jñāna. At that stage, the soul knows reality directly without dependence on the mind or senses.

Takeaway

The soul does not “have a mind” in the physical sense. The soul is pure consciousness. Memory and thought operate through the mind while the soul is bound with karma, but the true power of knowing belongs to the soul itself.