Answer

Jainism is dualistic, not non-dualistic.

In Jain Dharma, reality is understood as consisting of two fundamentally different kinds of substances:

• JÄ«va — soul, conscious substance
• AjÄ«va — non-soul, non-conscious substance

So Jainism clearly accepts a real distinction between soul and matter/non-soul.

Explanation

According to Jain philosophy, the soul is eternal, conscious, and capable of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. But due to karmic bondage, the soul remains bound in worldly existence.

Ajīva includes non-conscious realities such as:

• Matter
• Space
• Time
• Motion medium
• Rest medium

Jainism does not teach that everything is one single absolute reality. It teaches that many souls exist, and each soul is distinct and eternal.

Spiritual Understanding

The distinction between soul and non-soul is very important in Jain Dharma. Liberation comes when the soul realizes its true nature and separates itself from karmic matter through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

This is why Jain practice emphasizes:

• Self-awareness
• Non-attachment
• Ahimsa
• Control of passions
• Purification of karma

Takeaway

Jainism is best described as pluralistic dualism: it accepts a real difference between soul and non-soul, and also accepts the existence of countless individual souls.