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

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Gems of Jainism
omniscient. These are the qualities of God. Soul, according to Jainism, in its pure form, attained after destroying all the layers of karma and karmic veil, is God. Jainism, perhaps, is the only religion which makes it possible for man to become God. What is most significant is to transform the polluted soul, the soul which is made filthy, into a pure soul. This is done by removing the impurities that have brought the soul into a bondage. Jain religion, with reference to its ultimate goal or aim liberation, is nothing but a way or mārga or method to transform the state of soul. This, in Jain terminology is uplifting or the ascent of the stages of the state of soul. In Jaina religion it is called 'Gunasthāna? When we understand this, in the background of the ultimate aim Jainism has, we clearly know how significantly the Law or Doctrine of Karma becomes important. The law of Karma in Jainism is very subtle and very minute. In fact the bondage is called Karma. It is material forming a subtle bond of extremely refined karmic matter which keeps the soul from flying up to its natural abode of full knowledge and everlasting peace”18 In Jainism one finds Karmavāda i.e. full discussion and description of all the aspects and issues related to karma. The nature and classification of different types of karma, the entire process of karma - the foreign element flowing into and infecting the natural faculties of the soul known as karma - bandha is explained in great details. Since our subject is not Law of karma, I sum up only by noting what Dr J. P. Jain says “one may call this doctrine of Jainism almost spiritual mathamatics”19 The doctorine of karma in Jainism proves to be a very important moral doctrine.
The Jaina philosophy equally, in detail and most justifiably, discusses logic and gives Anekāntavāda and Syādavāda; it discusses ethics and gives the philosophy of soul: soul in state of bondage and soul in stage of release; its canonical, semi-canonical and popular literature explains the popular belief and Sadhanā. All these leading to only one goal i.e. liberation. In Jainism liberation means making the soul free from bondage. Again making the soul free means making it pure by removing impurities. To do this one needs to see