Gems of Jainism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

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Jain Theism
five types of Knowledge etc. Its very first verse is a Prayer (an eulogy) to the Jain God - "Jinésvar Bhagwäna”. Here Tirthankar or god is addressed as the "knower of all generating states, grand and glorious, the savor of all beings, Father, and as ever victorious. "2R In all, as many as 50 verses of its beginning is full of theistic colour, reflecting the reverence and sense of worship towards Thirthankara who is the Jaina God, the Divine, the Pure, the Perfect and the Powerful (d) Arguments from Anuyogadvāra Sutra :
This is known as the "key to all canons”. 29 It contains a full discussions on Metaphysical as well as Theological issuces. It is comparatively more technical and tougher to understand. But then one can clearly observe Theism peeping from the discussions. Its main thesis is based on a powerful conviction that one who follows this canon (sutra) will be able to attain infinite capacities of the Pure soul, will become God. It also contains phrases like Dévās (Gods) and Namaskāra (Worship). (e) Argument from Anupāpatika Sutra :
This is the first amongst the quasi-canonical scriptures (Upāngas). It discusses the issues regarding penance, meditation, worship, nature of heaven, and at the end nature of Siddhās who are Jain Gods. The twentieth verse of this scripture is a famous Jaina hyme which is full of the attributes of God, some of the attributes are: “Divine and Pure God”, “Self-eminent", "the master of the World”, “the wellwisher of the world”, “the path shower of the world”, “the Omniscient”, “the Good”, “the absolute motionless”, "the Pure and Perfect", "the unlimited and the changeless". This scripture also describes the Upasană (method of worshipping) of Lord. It explains three types of worships viz. Physical worship, phonic worship and mental worship. It also describes how infinite -pure souls (Siddhās) form “Monism” as they all shine having their light merge into each other. Thus apart from establishing Theism, this scripture also solves the metaphysical problems arising out of plurality of infinite liberated souls. A touch of not only Theism but Monism is clearly found here in this scripture.