________________
26
Indian Ethnicity and Religious Heritage
soul takes rebirth and proceeds further in its journey towards liberation. In Jainism, as in other Indian religions systems, individual personality has always been regarded as a transitory mask as the whole Jain philosophy is based on the existence of the duality of Jiva and Ajiva- Spirit and matter. The spirit survives even after the matter appears to decay and dies. This leads Jains to the theory of re-incarcation and rebirth in accordance with the Karmas (actions) of the past births. Even your good actions bind you if they are done with a motive to gain rewards. Law of karma is inexonerable but one can destroy his Karmas to be free from their bondage by one's own efforts. There is no outside element which can drag you out of this bondage. The great seers and prophets can guide you and point out to you the path of redumption but ultimately it is for you to find out the path suitable to you and to start walking on that path by conviction, courage and fortitude.
This approach of Jainism has earned for itself a comment that is a-theistic.
is Jainism atheistic? Before answering this
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org