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 170

Scriptural and other Arguments for Theism in Jainism 151 form of soul-the Lord Tirthnkara, whether you call him Lord Buddha or Visnu or Brahma or Mahādeva or you call him Jinendra, it makes no difference."*74 Thus Yogasāra provides number of instances supporting Jain concept of God and Jain's nature of theism. (2) Argument from Adhyātmasāra
Just like in Sthānānga-Satra? which is one of the twelve Angas of the Jain canonical literature, here the central theme is "soul is one')6 It discusses the nature of soul, soul in its polluted form, soul in its pure form, importance of prayer etc. Here through verse no. 714 to 774 the absolute has been described just as we find in Bhagawadgitā. It further categorically
the pure soul is existence (Sat). knowledge Cit) and bliss (Ananda) !” The Adhyatmasära at the end defines God and says, “One who has attained absolute knowledge, detached from the worldly activities, annihilated all the Karmas and has attained Siddhhood is God."** Thus we find Adhyātmasāra giving sufficient support to Jain conception of God as well as Jain theism. (3) Argument from Samaņa-Suttam
This sacred text of the Jains convey the essence of Jain religion. It has four sections: the first one (Jyoti-mukha) tells about Jains and the Jain religion and its main doctrines; the second one (Moksa Marga) talks about path of perfection; the third one (tattvadarśana) deals with Jaina metaphysics and the last and the fourth one (Syādvāda) deals with the non-absolutism of Jainism, it opens with a holy hymn as a prayer to five holy pentad : the God (Arihanta), the absolute (Siddha), the great preachers (Ācāryas), the monks (Upadhyāyas), and all the good persons (Sädhus) with reference to Jain God it says that, “it is 74. godt at ofc ar fabulerai CENTI$R: Juleni a fortat at
Frefutarefa fe 113&11 75. 7 3174 - PATTİN F- QUIFI 76. एक आत्मेति सूत्रस्याप्ययमेवाशयो मतः । प्रत्यग् पूज्योतिषमात्मानमाहु :
legir un ll 77. दुःखैस्मयोभिन्नस्तेनात्मा पुण्यपापयोः । शुद्धनिश्चयतः सत्यचिदानन्दमयः सदा
II 9811 Also see (1) Samayasāra 45 (2) Pravacanasāra 1-78 78. ज्ञानं केवलसंज्ञ योगनिरोधः समग्रकर्महतिः । सिद्धि निवासश्चयदा, ACAT PATTIGI : 117811
A. D. S. 79. Namaskāramantra : Samana Suttam 1 & 2