________________
118
Gems of Jainism
Darshan. The soul essentially in its natural state is pure and divine. Metaphysically, Jainism puts before us the theory of pluralism of Souls. The concept of Soul goes beyond human beings, and so in Jainism, it results into pan spiritualism i.e. all is soul. Logically, from the above we see the soul in bondage. Jainism has explained the mechanism of bondage and schematism of liberation. Bondage, according to Jainism, though beginning less is not endless. Here we are reminded of Srimad Bhagwat Gita expressing Jain theistic spirit: “With faith one attains knowledge, and with knowledge one attains self restraint and such a person attains bliss with self knowledge."19 Jainism, on the line with the acceptance of soul and the bondage being not endless, paves the path to liberation. In Jainism the path to perfection or path to annihilation of Karmas is the path to liberation. Modern age is also the age of moral crisis. Jaina's concept of soul and its salvation talks about the spiritual treasure. This very concept of spiritual treasure of the soul leads to a presupposition of a kind of perfection. For a Jain the perception, knowledge, energy and bliss of the soul can never be totally extinguished and the karmic influence is subject to complete elimination. This concept of Jaina is highly optimistic. “Each soul when completely immune from Karmic influences become itself Svayambhu, and is transformed into divinity."20 The liberated souls are full and are perfectly divine in
itself and by itself. In our final conclusion we can say that Jainism while exploring the meaning, the nature and scope of Soul's salvation, gives entire stress on right perception, right knowledge and right conduct as path to complete liberation.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
