ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 235

SCHOOL
TIONAL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
AN STUDIES
primarily because there is no belief in a creator God. Most current definitions of God place much emphasis on creativity. The Jains believe that the universe has always existed, and thus there is no possibility of a creator god. Another reason that contributes to Jainism's atheistic reputation is a lack of belief in isvara, or a personal god. Given the ritualism so prevalent in Jainism, it might be surprising to know that the God of Jainism cannot intervene, and is completely unresponsive and indifferent to worship, prayer, and human affairs. The non-interventionist attribute of the Jain concept of God is another reason why Jains may be considered atheists.
Devotion to a non-intervening God
It is of the utmost importance to understand that in Jainism, God is not worshiped in hopes to attain boons or have wishes granted, or even to have assistance on the path towards liberation. Jains are well aware of the non-interventionism of their God. In God, Jains see the qualities they want to foster within themselves. The Tirthamkaras, arhats, siddhas, ācāryas, upadhyayas, and sadhus are role models and sources of inspiration and guidance. Devotion towards the Jinas turns the mind away from the wants of the body, and turns the mind towards divine gunas of God. The following quotes from a canonical text do well do illustrate this point:
"...the meditating yogi, who identifies himself with the omniscient, finds himself to be an omniscient."
"By meditating about the detached, one himself becomes detached and gets free from the karmic bondage."
"He, who constantly indulges in a certain sentiment, comes to be identified with that particular sentiment, just as a crystal that assumes the color in juxtaposition of which it is placed."12
This is a very sophisticated concept, but almost all Jains seem to understand it. When Jains are reciting a mantra to amurti of Mahāvīra, they are not worshiping the murti, and they are not worshiping Mahāvīra, but they are worshiping the gunas of Mahāvīra's Jīva, in hopes to
12 All three quotes come from The Yoga Shastra of Hemchandracharua, from the 12th C. Bothara, Surendra, Ed., Gopani, A.S., trans. Jaipur: Prakrit Bharti Academy, 1989. pp. 227-228
Page 222 of 273
STUDY NOTES version 5.0