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JAINISM, GOD & UNIVERSE
Compiled by Harendra Shah
Introduction: Jainism believes that universe and all its substances are eternal (everlasting). All substances continually undergo changes. Previous forms give way to new ones without losing their own inherent qualities. Jains believe that the universe is without beginning or end. The universe did not begin at any time and it will not end at any time. There is no need of some almighty to create or manage the affairs of the universe. The universe runs on its own accord by its own cosmic laws (laws of nature). The laws of nature in truest and purest form are the fundamentals of Jainism.
Universe and Modern Science: Scientists agree that universe is made of matter, light, and various forms of radiation and energy. There are more than 100 billion stars in one single galaxy, and there are at least 100 billion galaxies in the universe. The Big Bang Theory is the dominant scientific theory about the origin of the universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the universe was created sometime between 10 billion and 20 billion years ago from a cosmic explosion that hurled matter in all directions. Although the Big Bang Theory is widely accepted, it probably will never be proved; consequently leaving a number of tough questions unanswered. The Big Bang Theory today relies on a growing number of hypothetical entities, things that we have never observed - inflation, dark matter and dark energy are the most prominent examples. The Steady State Theory model developed in 1949 by Fred Hoyle, Jain spiritual Thomas Gold and others as an alternative to the Big Bang Theory most closely represents Jain view of the Universe, with no beginning and no end. However Steady
path consists of State Theory lost ground among scientists with the discovery of the cosmic back
integrated trinity ground radiation in 1965. An unexpected observation of an accelerating universe in the late 1990s led to some efforts to develop quasi-Steady State Theories, in which of Right Faith there is not a single big bang but rather multiple big bangs over time which create matter.
(Samyak-darshan),
Il be Right Knowledge It is doubtful if man-kind using the currently available scientific methods will be able to conclusively answer questions like: What is the universe made of? How is the cosmos structured? What is the fate of the universe?
and Right Did God Create the Universe?: We, Jains, believe that God did not create the uni
Conduct verse. If God created this universe, who created that God? Who created the creator? If God has created the universe, he has to have a desire to create. The desire makes yak-chäritra). God imperfect and he cannot be imperfect. From another angle, if God carries out the task of creation and destruction without any purpose then it becomes a foolish game. If he carries out this work as a game, he has to be deemed as a child.
Lain Heritave in Western
Extending lain
Stern Environment
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