Jain Theism

SR No.: 006509
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemant Shah
Publisher: Hemant Shah
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 218
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Religion
File Size: 10 MB

Page 117

98
Jain
Theism
of Karma we will find that all these have been covered up under karma. In fact 'Karma' is wider than any particular devotional act. Through Bhāva Karma and Dravya Karma, the Bhakti or prayer or any form of devotion has been accepted by the Jains. Jainism aims at "the scientific development of the character, the process of separating soul from matter."10? It gives great emphasis to concentration- concentration to improve the sensing faculty, to improve and develop the spiritual nature, to attain equanimity of mind and consequent spiritual illumination. Meditation of purity of mind in four ways : Love in the form of friendship. in the form of compassion, in the form of joy and in the form of indifference or forgiveness : results into a sort of devotion towards the highest and the noblest truths as well as towards the great tirthankaras. The theory of Karma ensures one "the life of a God in heaven, which is one of the forms that soul might assume by accumulation of merit. The greater power and perfection belonging to the divine body and organism are the rewards of the good deeds of a former life. The liberated souls are above the Gods."10
We may conclude therefore, with the remark that the doctrine of Karma in Jainism proves to be a very important moral doctrine. It is neither mechanical nor mathematical. It is neither legalism nor fatalism. The doctrine of Karma in Jain philosophy, inevitably and invariably, is theistic, In the words of Dr. J. P. Jain, “The entire emphasis is on the development of strong will-power and conscious personal effort (puruṣārtha) in order to thwart and annihilate the various adverse influences, internal and external. subjective and objective, psychic and physical the forces of the Karma, Bhāva as well as Dravya and in this way to effect a gradual spiritual evolution leading to the ultimate goal, the very Godhood, whence there is no return to the Samsára. This transformation of the ātman into paramātman, of man into God, is the ultimate aim and realisable goal for him who is a sincere seeker after the truth."rus This rational conviction and profound faith in the intrinsic purity and perfection of the soul, and the capacity and capability to realise, recover and retain for Godhood through philosophical enlightenment and a rigorous course of moral and spiritual self discipline,"106 is the keynote of Jain theism. 103. H. Warren, Jainism (1968), p. 120 104 Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Indian Philosophy, Vol. 1 (1977) p. 133 105. Dr. J. P. Jain, Raligion and Culture of the Jains, (1977), p. 42 106. Ibid., p. 42. 106. Dr. J. P. Jain, Raligion and Culture of the Jains, (1977), p. 42