________________
paramappa is the maxim. The main theme of the Jaina concept of divinity in this thesis is summed up as follows:
1. Under Jainism, divinity has neither beginning nor end. The divinity is eternal, it is though blooming of a bud.
2. Jaina concept of divinity does not believe in creation, sustenance and destruction of universe by a supreme divine being.
3. The supreme beings in Jainism do not bestow boons to the worldly beings, or devotees and also do not alleviate the suffering or misery.
4. Only the supreme divine is adorable in Jainism, not the heavenly or celestial beings as they too are bound by karmas.
5. The process of attaining of divinity is also encouched in Agamas that springs up under the guidance of the omniscients, divine beings. The process is illustrated with the help of fourteen Gunasthan.us i.e., fourteen stages of spiritual development.
6. An individual soul attains its highest level of divinity and maintains its individuality with Ananta Chatustaya (infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss and infinite power).
7. Divinity is not restricted to a privileged few. 8. Every soul or individual is a potential divine.
190
Jain Education International
THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
