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 29

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Gems of Jainism
freedom for liberation is its highest spiritual stage. As the soul becomes purer and purer from the veil of impurities of Karma on it, it becomes brighter and brighter.
According to Jainism a soul, completely released from the bondage is a soul in state of Siddhahood or Godhood. In this state soul is free and enjoys four infinites: Infinite Knowledge, Infinite Preception, Infinite Power and Infinite Bliss. The released soul is a conquerer - a Jaina as is thus a hero. A released soul possesses all the attributes of God. Now if we interpret God as the manifestation of the highest values, hightest virtues and highest morals then such released souls, are Jain gods.
Let me also show what jaina God is and what the theistic colours are in the of Jaina Philosophy, mainly in its logic, ethics and epistemology. First we talk Jain logic. “The Jainas admit that things are one in their universal aspect and many in their particular aspect."15 Thus alongwith the differences, the element of universal, which is in all, becomes the pure being or “Sat" from Jain's logical point of view. We may call this the Highest Universal or “Mahā Sāmānya”; and this universal is the Absolute. It becomes Absolute. "The whole gamut of reality, however, reveals its universal umitive nature as one existence when it is envisaged from the synthetic angle of vision."16
Moreover, one of the greatest contribution of the Jain Philosophy is its theory of non-absolutism. But then the nonabsolutism is relativism and there cannot be “relative" with absolute. Relative always pre-supposes the absolute, which could be clearly understood through its “Mahā - Sāmānya" or Universal.” So the collective idea derived from observations of the divine characters inherent in all beings is by us called God”.!?
Jain ethics deals with certain definite codes both for the householder as well as for the monks. These codes are rigorous in insisting on spiritual development through Right Conduct. The "keynote of the system is “Ahinsā" i.e. not hurting, not killing anyone. The sanctity of life, including that of birds, beasts and insects, itself is holy and religious. The full recognisation of this