Gems of Jainism

SR No.: 001803
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 142
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Articles, & Religion
File Size: 8 MB

Page 22

Jainism Absolute
13
possessed by all the souls in the state of liberation. Although each soul exists separately all the souls share these characteristics. From this it is very obvious that all souls are alike. When all souls are alike their difference is indiscernible. There is no qualitative difference between them. According to Jain Darshan soul in the state of liberation possess quantitative difference but quantitative difference is no difference. If twenty pieces are made of a sugarcane, each piece is a sugarcne There is no qualitative difference between one and the other. Each separate piece of Sugarcane warrants unity. Same is the case with the souls. Although souls may have quantative difference they have no qualitative difference. To put it in other words souls are qualitatively the same. This implies an ontolgical unity. The quantitative difference among the souls is not, and can not be real, and when difference is not real it is no difference at all. This means there is no difference between one soul and other soul in the state of Liberation. All are one. Can we not call this ONE, God ? Jainism has rejected qualitative differences among souls. I do not understand why should it inconsistently click to numerical differences which are only nominal and not real. In my humble view, Jain Philosophy does contain God. God of Jain darshan is not apparent but we have to bring Him out with effort. Jain darshan appears to be athestic but in fact it is theistic. Jain darshan does contain a latent God. (prchanna iswara)