Gems of Jainism

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

Page 33

Gems of Jainism
(f) Argument from Uttarădhyāyana Sutra :
This is also one of the four fundamental scriptures (Mulasutra) of the Jaina canonical literature. It is very popular amongst the non-Jaina Scholars of Jainism. It contains the last sermons of Lord Mahavira, consituted in 36 chapters. It has a very big variety of subjects. In chapter 29 of this scripture Lord Mahavira explains the significance and benefits of such acts as "bowing (Vandanā), singing hymns or eulogy (Stuti), confession (Prāyascitta), forgiveness (Ksamāpanā), Concentration and meditation (Anupreksā and Dhyāna), penance (Tapa) etc. "30 The entire teachings of Lord Mahavira becomes unconceivable if Jainism is Atheism. On the contrary, here also, at a number of places Mahavira has been addressed as God. At the end of this scripture there is an eulogy after Lord Mahavira composed by Sudharmā Swāmi, Lord Mahavira's disciple. It is composed of twenty-nine verses expressing the attributes of Lord Mahavira. The entire eulogy is an example of the Jaina conception of God and its theistic approach towards life and reality. (g) Arguments from Quasi-canonical literature :
The “Yogasāra”, having a control theme of soul emerging out as absolute in the pure form," describes the nature of Jaina God, and says this God is worshiped mentally through the fullfilment of Vows and physically through “Bhakti” (Devotion) and “Poojā" (rituals)"31
The “Adhyātmasara" also discusses the nature of soul, soul in its polluted state etc. But it also talks about prayer. Here through verse no. 714 to 774 the absolute has been described just as we find in Sri Bhagwad Gita. The Adhyātmasāra at the end defines God and says, “one who has attained absolute knowledge, detached from the worldly activities, annihilated all the Karmas and has attained Siddhahood is God. "32
The “Samana-Sutta" is a sacred text of Jainas and Jain - religion. It opens with - a prayer to Jain God and to holy - panted. It says,"it is the commandment of the Jain God that one should