ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 238

Taking all of these in to consideration, the Jain God can be defined as the perfected Jīvas. Acārya Amitagati's Yogasāra-Prābhrta is helpful in adding that, "The use of the singular number for the deity is only a collective expression for the plurality of liberated souls."23
God vs. Godhood If in Jainism there was no Siddha-Loka, so then the infinite number of perfected Jīvas did not actually exist, then there would be a better case for Jainism being atheistic. Perhaps then the claim would be that Jains believe in Godhood, but not in God. Some Jains actually do say they believe in Godhood, but not God. My response is that believing only in Godhood implies that there is no being that exists that actually has the full characteristics of Godhood. In Jainism, there are an infinite number of beings that have attained Godhood, and thus they are God. Jainism, then, believes in both God and Godhood.
Attributes of the Jain God Divine attributes are properties that are often claimed to be essential and/or unique to God. Very common divine attributes are the Omni-properties: omniscience, omnipotence, and Omni-benevolence. It is often said that God should be a personal God who created the world and rules over it. Various religions proclaim different divine attributes. There is no ultimate list that compiles all of the possible divine attributes, and there is no minimal number of divine attributes, or one necessary attribute, that a religion's deity must have for that deity to be considered god or God, or for that religion to be considered atheistic or theistic.
I asked many Jains if they believe in God, and the answer is usually "no." But when I press them on the issue, asking "Well then what is being worshiped in the temple?" the reply is usually along the lines of, "Well, Jains don't believe in a creator God." My response is that the creative attribute is not a necessary attribute of God.
Divine attributes of God in Jainism: Omniscience, Omnipotence, and Omni-benevolence: It has been stated numerous times in this essay that the perfected Jīva has infinite knowledge and perception, so the point of the Jain God having omniscience does not require additional attention. It has also been stated that the Jiva has infinite power, but also that it does not intervene in the world. The important
23 Acharya Amitagait's Yogasara-Prabhrta, P.22
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