Concept of Divinity in Jainism

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

Page 80

the attainment of perfect wisdom, divinity. 88 Therefore, he is a Potential Divine, Potential Buddha. Bodhisattva in Mahayana marks love to all beings along with wisdom.89 According to Pali texts Buddha says, “Before being Buddha, I was Bodhisattva.” In order to fulfil his task, Bodhisattva practices certain moral and spirituals virtues to their perfection. These perfect virtues are called paramitas. They are as follows:
1. The perfection of liberality (dana-paramita) 2. The perfection of morality (sila-paramita) 3. The perfection of patience (kshanti-paramita) 4. The perfection of energy (virya-paramita) 5. The perfection of meditation (dhyana-paramita) 6. The perfection of wisdom (prajna-paramita) The four supplementary paramitas are as follows: 7. Skilfulness in means (upaya-kaushalya) 8. Aspiration of resolution (pranidhana) 9. Strength or power (bala) 10. Knowledge (jnana)
Mahayanist, unlike Hinayana, does not consider the attainment of Nibbana to be the highest ideal, but the attainment of Buddhatva, i.e. Prajna (transcendental insight) and karuna (universal love) to be the highest ideal." A Bodhisattva will become Buddha in future. Buddha (Supreme Divinity)
Buddha - “A generic name, an appellative but not a proper name - given to one who has attained enlightenment; a man superior to all other beings human and divine, by his knowledge of
truth”.92
20.9.0.RSDOOOOOOOOOOOO
THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM