The fundamental principles of Jainism are these :—

I. Man's personality is dual, material and spiritual. The duality of the dead matter and the living principle which animates the human body is evident. There may be differences as to the nature of it; but as to the fact of the duality there cannot be any question. This is in striking contrast with the Hindu doctrine of Brahman, or one soul which is all and in all.

II. Man is not perfect. He can improve, i.e. he can advance in the direction of perfection. The human soul can attain perfection. In its perfect condition the soul enjoys its true and eternal character, whereof the characteristic is the four infinities: infinite perception or faith ; infinite knowledge ; infinite power ; and infinite bliss.

The four infinities are respectively named: anantadarsana, ananta-jnana, ananta-virya, and anantasukha.

III. By his spiritual nature man can and must control his material nature. It is only after the entire subjugation of matter that the soul attains perfection, freedom, and happiness.

It is such a free and happy soul that is called Jina (Conqueror) or Tirthankara (Guide).

These free souls are of two kinds—

1. Disembodied and in nirvana at the summit of the Universe, steady and in bliss unending. These are called Siddhas. They are also distinguished into two kinds according as in their embodied condition they did or did not preach and propound the Truth. If they did, then in nirvana they are tirthankara-siddha. There have been twenty-four such in the current cyclic, period, avasarpini. (See below, p. 15-.) If they did not preach and propound the truth, they are sdmdnyasiddha.

2. Embodied souls which have attained omniscience, but have not yet discarded the last vestments of human body. These are the Arhats.

Both these classes have innumerable qualities, but eight of the first and forty-six of the second class are specially mentioned. (These are named in Appendix IV.)

Besides the omniscient Arhats, there are sages, or human souls in a higher spiritual condition than other men : these are saints, sadhus or munis.