Concept of reality

A reality is defined to have an existence(Sat). Each reality or entity continuously undergoes countless changes known as origination and destruction. This is known as Paryaya of a substance.

In the midst of changes its qualities remain unchanged which is called permanence. This is also known as Gunas of the substance.

Hence every entity (substance or object) in the universe has three aspects: origination (utpada); destruction (vyaya); permanence (dhrauvya).

Both attributes (gunas) and modes (paryayas) are inseparable from an entity. The same principle can be explained differently: An entity is permanent (nitya) from the stand point of its attributes known as substantial stand point (dravyarthik naya).

An entity is transient (anitya) from the stand point of its modifications (paryaya). This is
known as modal stand point (paryayarthik naya).

A natural description of reality takes into consideration these three aspects: permanence in the midst of change; identity in diversity; unity in the midst of multiplicity

The modifications that an entity undergoes refer to the various shapes into which a substance is transformed, naturally or artificially.

A living being through the process of various changes, such as childhood, youth, old age. These changes are natural modifications of the living.

Childhood, youth, and old age are transient forms (paryaya) of a living being. The soul of a living being is permanent (dravya). Like clay is molded by a potter into various shapes.

Gold is crafted by a goldsmith into ornaments. These changes are artificial modifications of nonliving beings.

While undergoing various modifications, either natural or artificial, the basic substance remains unchanged and is permanent, while the forms change and are transient.

From Six Universal Substances complied by Jain Study Center of North Carolina