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Jain Theism
(iii) I-thou relationship (of Bhakta & Bhagvāna) remains even after
liberation. (iv) God is the ultimate shelter of all souls. (v) Devotion is an end and not means."
These beliefs or principles also shape the Jain path of devotion. Of course, Jains do not believe in creator God or in God's grace. But then the popular belief to have full faith in God, both God's creation as well as grace does play its role in the devotion. Jainism, quite ritualistic and theistic in its devotion-path, does not consider devotion as an end but a means to an end. “According to Jainisń the goal of life is liberation. All his efforts will be for the liberation. Amongst these efforts, to a certain limit, even the devotion has its own place."12 The popular belief can be classified under four groups : worship, rituals, fasts and festivals.13 Let us see them in detail.
According to Jainism, everybody has to bear the consequences of his good or bad actions and has thus to either enjoy of suffer, in accordance with the inexorable law of Karma. And yet, the worship of the Divinity is recommended. “As a matter of fact every religion must have popular appeal if it is to survive, and worship together with the allied ceremonial is one of the most patent means of popular appeal."14 Common men and women, “do not possess the requisite capability, and they are not free from earthly wants, desires, ambitions, fears, anxieties, worries and other human frailties. Facing life with calm indifference and resignation with an eye on higher values, is often too much for them. They want an easy and ready remedy, and the institution of worship supplies this need."15 But then worship could also be a form of 'Dharmadhyāna'. The most extraordinary again of achievement is the joy, the peace, and the equanimity which pervade his or her soul. Worship is therefore, though recommended, found as a strong force in Jainism. Just like worship there are certain rituals regularly observed by the Jain. The lay aspirant, regularly in the early morning goes to the temple with a peaceful mind and pious thoughts. He may take with him few flowers or a ripe fruit by way of token offering. He recites some verses and Namaskāra- Mantra as an adoration or obeisance to the holy pentad. The verses he recites are eulogies in praise of the
11. Ibid., p. 116 to 127 12. Malvania Dalsukhbhai : Jain Dharma Cintan' (1965). P. 128 13. Read chapter VII of 'Religion and Culture of the Jains' by Dr. J. P. Jain. 1975. 14. Ibid., p. 104-105 15. Ibid., p. 105
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