JAINA Convention 2005 07 JCNC

SR No.: 527527
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 204
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Convention JAINA, & USA
File Size: 10 MB

Page 131

Therefore, he could not have created the world. If he carries out all this work on account of his supreme grace he would have made all Jivs (souls) happy and he would have created things that would have given happiness to all. But we have 87% of the people of earth living in poverty and misery and only 13% people are well off. Therefore, God must not be managing the universe. Since God is omniscient, omnipotent, and devoid of desires, and without passions, he could not be interested in the matters of universe. Some claim that all creatures are God's images and we are all parts of him". If so, we should all have unlimited bliss, perfect perception, perfect knowledge and perfect conduct. But it isn't so. Therefore, we cannot be a part of the God or his images. If we accept that God created the earth, he manages the earth and he decides who gets what, then countless questions are raised and we do not have rational answers to these questions. Therefore, it appeals to our common sense that God did not create the universe.
Jain Concept of Universe: Per Jainism, God has the absolute (perfect) knowledge. Therefore, he reveals the essential and real form of the universe. He revealed that the
world is without a beginning or end. The universe does undergo continuous change. Production and disposal are always going on. Behind this eternal process there does not exist any plan or organization. The whole universe is self-regulated.
According to Jain philosophy, the universe consists of six Dravya (substance); Jiv (living) and five Ajiv (non-living) substances. The five Ajiva (non-living) substances are: 1) matters & energy (pudgalästikäy), 2) medium of motion (dharmästikäy), 3) medium of rest (adharmästikäy), 4) space (äkäshästikäy) and 5) time (käl). All these six substances are indestructible, imperishable, immortal, eternal and continuously undergo transformation.
Einstein's theory of relativity which revolutionized the science deals with the fundamental ideas such as time, space, mass, motion and gravitation. These elements essentially echo five Ajiv (non-living) substances. Time is käl, space is akaash, mass is pudgal and motion is dharma and adharma (no motion). Gravitational force is also a derivative of pudgal. In addition, Jains consider electromagnetic force as a derivative of pudgal.
For living beings karma plays an important role. Karma is the finest matter (pudgal) that our soul attracts because of our activities of body, speech and thought. Bad karma pollutes the inherent qualities of the soul. The bondage and deliverance of each individual depends upon himself or herself. Every individual experiences happiness or unhappiness according to his past karma. His present fate has been decided based on the past karma. His future will be decided based on his present balance of the karma.
JAINA
ᅲᅲ
2005
Thirthankars teach, guide, and show
others the path
of liberation
and attain
liberation themselves
Extending Jain Heritage in Western Environment
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