Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

Page 254

Concept of God in Jainism
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name of 'Perfect being', the Jainism is a theistic religion. Thus it is
erfluous to consider Jainism as atheistic one. It is regarded as heterodox since it does not believe in authority of Vedas. In Jainism there is no need of God to create the world since it holds that the world is infinite. The changes which occur in the world are according to its very nature. A being or soul is his own master. Jainism believes in the theory of ripe time. To adopt a way leading to bondage or liberation concerns solely with the self and its karma performed. Lord Mahāvira snatched away from God and gods the fate of man and put it in hands of man himself. He preached that man is master of his own fate and no body else.23 You are happy or otherwise on account of your karmas. Karma itself yields the result and it is notentrusted to God. So Jainism does not maintain any conceptof God who is all eternal, one, omnipresent and cause of catastrophe, but it believes in Parmātmā the supreme soul.
Concept of God, depicted in Jaina hymnic Literature
In Jaina religion Tīrthankara and Kevali Vitarāgais educeted as part of worship. One can easily trace the multiple hymns of praise in Sūtrakrtānga?4 (c. 2nd-3rd century A.D.), Bhagavati 25 (c. 2nd-3rd) century A.D.) and Āvasyaka Sūtra (c. 1st-2nd century A.D.). In these canons Lord Mahāvīra has been defined as one who possesses infinite knowledge, infinite qualities and noble character. He is called as leader of the Universe (lokanāyaka), supreme, preacher, imparter of faith and fearlessness, embodiment of uninterrupted knowledge and faith. No where God is praised as creator or destroyer of the world. He is described as one who is benevolent, freed, ascetic, forbearing and winner over his senses?
His Teachings
Tinthankaras are full of compassion, benevolence, and the spirit of friendship, they candle the path of liberation to the others. They have put more emphasis on purification of conduct as well as to practice nonviolence and non-possession. Non-violence, truth, celibacy, non-stealing, and non-possession are their main teachings28. They have preached mahávratas for saints and anuvratas for śrāvakas or house holders as means of salvation. They have introduced the theory of manifold aspect (anekäntavāda) which is an elixir of synthesis and harmony. It gives