Concept of Divinity in Jainism

Author(s): P Ajay Kothari
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 68

Nibbana (Divinity)
Nibbana is the state of divinity. The literal meaning of the term nibbana or nirvana is “extinction"; "blowing out"; "going out"; "the total destruction or annihilation". The term nirvana means complete spiritual release and total elimination of all sorts of craving, passions, attachments, ignorance, etc. The word is formed from nirvri' or 'ni-vri' meaning tranquil, happy, ceased and parinirvrita in its technical sense is 'having attained nirvana'.35 The term "extinction" applies to three flames of greed, hatred, and infatuation. In short, it signifies the extinction of craving. It is the greatest happiness (paramam sukham). It is stated in the Dhammapada: "Health is the greatest of gifts, contentedness the best of riches, trust is the best of relationships, nirvana the highest happiness".36
In the Buddhist tradition, nirvana has been described by different words, concepts, terms or epithets, which may be called synonyms. The commentary on the Nettipakarana describes nirvana in these terms: Un-compounded (asamkkhata), infinite (ananta), stainless (anasava), true (sacca), unimpaired (ajajjara), immutable (dhuva), not vanishing (apalokita), tranquil (shanta), undying (amata), excellent (panita), destruction of desire (tanhakkhaya), unborn (ajata), deep (gambhira), transcendental (uttara), matchless (appatisama), summum bonum (settha), supreme (jettha), un-impure (vimala), immeasurable (appamana). Nirvana is also called ultimate refuge (sarana), detachment (viraga), immutable state (accutapada), liberation (mutti), purity (visuddhi), emancipation (vimutti), holiness (shuddhi), and blessedness (nibbuti).37 Each. of these words signifies either a negative or positive aspect of the ultimate goal from the Buddhist standpoint.
The negative aspect of niryana: Those words that suggest the negation of something, such as - nirodha, nirmoksa, nirvriti, amrita, anitika and nirveda, etc., are different synonyms
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THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM