Introduction to Jainism

Author(s): Rudi Jansma, Sneh Rani Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM
(compare: non-attraction and removal of karmas); 4. there is a path which leads to salvation. Both Jainism and Buddhism reject the idea of a creative God in the western sense. There is no “Being” which is above all that exists and which creates the universe; nor, as in Hinduism, a trinity, which creates, supports and destroys the universe. But Jainism and Buddhism recognize numerous heavenly beings. Jainism describes them in detail, and except for those in the higher heavens, who are all equal, as arranged in hierarchical orders, including divinities which are the rulers over and performers of natural forces. Together they are the natural forces and intelligentsia of nature. The divine is the core essence of every being wherever it finds itself in the universe, and every being can realize this core and essence, and by purification bring the qualities of the soul to full manifestation.
Rishabha also taught that the whole universe, with the exception of the living soul, consists of indivisible, smallest units (anu, i.e. atoms) and that all existing forms came into existence by combination of atoms. Most contemporary scientists of our days will endorse this idea. This notion, and Rishabha's doctrine that the universe is divided into a dualism of life and not-life, seem to differ from the ideas found in Theosophy and Buddhism. Truth itself, though, is of course universal and is independent of and unstained by any religious or philosophical system. All the real essential meanings of all human verities will ultimately be reconcilable. There is but one Truth, but there are many paradoxes which can only be fully grasped by fully enlightened ones. Buddhism teaches that no separateness exists in the universe - duality will finally prove to be an illusion. Buddhism, like Advaita Hinduism, does not support an ultimate and irreducible duality in the universe. Apparent duality rises from the One showing itself to our mind from its spiritual and material sides, which are relative to each other. Both are infinite. How could there be room for two infinites? Both are the same in essence – how else could these two aspects work together so closely? How could matter attach itself to the Soul if both