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  • Types of gyan ?
  • author Posted by
    Bhavesh Shah.

    Types of gyan ?

    12 months ago 1778

    In Jainism, Jñāna (Gyan, knowledge) is of five kinds:

    1) Mati-jñāna

    • Ordinary cognitive knowledge gained through senses and mind (seeing, hearing, inference, etc.).
    • It typically unfolds in four steps: avagraha (grasp), īhā (inquiry), avāya/avāyaṇa (ascertainment), dhāraṇā (retention).

    2) Śruta-jñāna

    • Knowledge received through words, teachings, and scriptures (Āgamas); essentially “scriptural” or testimonial knowledge.

    3) Avadhi-jñāna

    • Clairvoyant knowledge limited by range and objects; knows material things within certain spatial and qualitative limits. Common in some devas, nārakas, and highly disciplined ascetics.

    4) Manaḥparyāya-jñāna

    • Telepathic knowledge of the mental modes (thoughts) of others; arises only in very advanced ascetics.

    5) Kevala-jñāna

    • Perfect omniscience: infinite, direct knowledge of all substances and all their modes, past–present–future; possessed by Arihants.

    Additional points (kept simple and traditional):

    • Classification by directness: Mati and Śruta are indirect (parokṣa); Avadhi, Manaḥparyāya, and Kevala are direct (pratyakṣa) in Jain epistemology.
    • Both Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions accept these same five kinds. There are only minor differences in some sub‑classifications and technical details; the essence remains the same.
    • Kevala-jñāna is always perfect and free from error; the other four can be right or wrong depending on one’s spiritual purity.

    If you wish to read a concise overview, see this reference on JainKnowledge:

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