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14
History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā
Jainism is atheistical, if by atheism we understand the belief that there is no eternal Supreme God, Creator and Lord of all things; for the Jainas flatly deny such a Supreme God. 134
He also wrote,
Though the Jainas are undoubtedly atheistical as we understand the term, still they would probably object to being styled atheists. 135
In fact, Jaina scholars hold that Jainism is not atheistical. Lakshmi Chandra Jain writes,
Jainism cannot be regarded as a Nāstika or atheistical religion, simply because it does not believe in a Creator God. It believes in the eternal existence of soul (Jīva) and of five other substances. . . . It believes in the potentiality of each soul to achieve Nirvāna or the State of Godhood. 136
J.L. Jaini writes,
As compared with most other religions, it is important to notice that Jainism has a very definite and uncompromising attitude towards the conception of God. It is accused of being atheistic. This is not so, because Jainism believes in Godhood and in innumerable gods; but certainly Jainism is atheistic in not believing its gods to have created the universe. 137
But, Jainism believes in a highest deity - parama-devatā 138 or parmātman. 139
134. ERE, II, p. 186. 135. Ibid., p. 187. 136. JAA, I, Prefece, vii. 137. OJ, pp. 4-5. 138. ERE, II, p. 187. 139. CUHI, I, p. 191.
