ABC of Jainism

Author(s): S L Jain
Publisher: Maitree Samooh

Page 13

CHAPTER 6
JAINA CONCEPT OF GOD AND UNIVERSE Question: What is the Jaina Concept of God and universe ? Answer : In Jainism all liberated soul are considered as God. God possesses present past and future unique knowledge of universe. But the god does not play any role in design and operation of the universe. Jainas do not believe in the Supreme Being responsible for creating designing or operating this universe.
Question : What is the concept of universe in Jainism ? Answer : According to Jainism, universe has no beginning and no end. The universe consists of two types of substances- living and non living. Both type of substances have always existed and would continue to exist eternally in the universe.
Question : What are living beings? Answer: Living beings are those who are sentient and have the capacity of perception and knowledge. Living beings are of two kinds; namely worldly and liberated. The worldly living beings have their bodies, sense orans and power of reparation. They undergo birth and death and feel pleasure and pain. Liberated souls are the pure souls, free from pleasure and pain, birth and death and all other mundane impurities.
Question: What are non-living substances ? Answer: Non-living substances are non-sentient. There are five kinds of non-living substances :
1. Matter : possessing colour, taste, smell and touch. 2. Medium of Motion : an immaterial substance, which assists in movement of
living beings and matter just like water helping the fish in its movement. 3. Medium of Rest : an immaterial substance, which assists living beings and
matter in the state of rest just like a shadow of tree for a traveler to take
rest. 4. Space : an immaterial substance, which accommodates all livings beings and
non living substances.