Fundamental of Jainism

Author(s): Prithviraj Jain
Publisher: Prithviraj Jain

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time. In its absence nothing could continue to exist or undergo a change.
5. and 6. "Dharma" and "Adha ma.” These two substances are a distinguishing feature of the Jain system. They do not mean virtue and sin as these words ordinarily imply. The Jains believe that there must be some substances which help souls and material objects to move or to rest. These are known as Dharma and Adha ma, respectively. Just as water helps a fish in its movement in the river or the shade of a tree helps a passer-by to take rest, so these two substances help worldly objects in their movements and rest. They do not make them move or rest, but simply perform the function of assistance. It is due to them that the division of Lokakasha and Alokakasha is inferred. There would be no end to the upward movement of the liberated soul if these substances did not exist.
Jains do not believe in a personal, eternal God who has been from the start all-pervading, pure, omniscient and all-powerful and is also the creator of this universe. In Jainism the deified liberated souls, countless in number, take the place of God. The aim of their devotion is merely to guide and inspire a sincere devotee to follow in their footsteps.
The individual soul can attain Godhood by continuous efforts. It is the human soul which, on complete purification from foreign Karmic matter, attains to the highest level of divine perfection. Thus in this system man himself becomes God, depending upon his own help. The following words of Shri Jawaharlal Nehru may well be regarded as a tribute to the Jain point of view concerning God or deified human souls:
"It has always seemed to me a much more magni
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