Answer

In Jain Dharma, knowledge is mainly understood in five ways:

• Mati Jñāna – sensory and mental knowledge
• Śruta Jñāna – scriptural or verbal knowledge
• Avadhi Jñāna – clairvoyant knowledge
• Manaḥparyāya Jñāna – knowledge of others’ thoughts
• Kevala Jñāna – perfect, infinite knowledge

Explanation

• Mati Jñāna: Knowledge gained through the senses and mind, such as seeing, hearing, thinking, remembering, and reasoning.
• Śruta Jñāna: Knowledge gained through words, teachings, scriptures, listening to saints, and studying Jain āgamas or spiritual texts.
• Avadhi Jñāna: A higher form of direct knowledge by which one can know certain material things beyond normal senses.
• Manaḥparyāya Jñāna: A very advanced knowledge by which one can directly know the thoughts of another being.
• Kevala Jñāna: Complete and perfect knowledge. This is attained when all knowledge-obscuring karmas are destroyed. Arihantas possess Kevala Jñāna.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that the soul naturally has infinite knowledge. However, karmas cover this natural quality. As karmas are reduced through right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, self-discipline, meditation, and detachment, knowledge becomes clearer and higher.

Takeaway

The highest goal is not merely to collect information, but to purify the soul so that its natural infinite knowledge, Kevala Jñāna, is revealed.