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mals etc. If we consider the concepts of numerous faiths or religions in the world, we would know undoubtedly that the forms of God as conceived in Puranas and mythologies are legends and that these Gods are supposed to protect their devotees from evils or grant them boons if they were pleased with their worship and offerings. Amongst the Hindus, the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva has been popular in conception. The followers of Vishnu and Shiva regard their own God as worthy of worship. It is believed that Brahma is the creator of the universe.
Jainism does not recognise that the universe was created by any God or gods. The universe is eternal and uncreated. It is subject to integration and dissolution in its forms and aspects. It is constituted of six substances (Dravyas) viz. soul (jiva), matter (pudgala), principle of motion (dharmastikaya), the principle of stationariness (adharmastikaya). space (akasha) and time (kala). It is an aggregate of these substances. The Jain concept of god is quite different from that of the Hindu trinity as he is not considered as a creator, ruler or regulator of the world which is looked upon as uncreated and eternal. Creation implies desire on the part of the God who wants to create and desire implies imperfection.
Mrs. Sinclair Stevenson remarks that “In Jainism there is no God, no communion with him and therefore, Jainism is a mundane religion with an empty heart.” Against this, S.K. Jain remarks “True, Jains do not believe in creator-God of the universe, but they are not godless people”.
Jainism believes that every individual human experiences the pleasure and pain according to his own desserts.? Jainism does not agree with the Nyaya conception of Ishvara as a dispenser of karma. In Bhagavati Sutra', Mahavira replies to Ganadhara Gautama 'yes' to the questions of 'does jiva experience the bitter fruit of paap karma as bitter', and 'does jiva experience good fruits of punya karma as good'. In this context it is worthwhile to note the views of Satya Ranjan Banerjee; “Vedic conception of the ultimate reality, or divinity as an outside creator-God is chal
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THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM
Jain Education International
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