________________
Jain Theism
give up the soul's outer activities of the mind, of the speech and of the body; and should enter into the inner world of the soul and should thus concentrate on God""
25
The "Syadavadamanjari" is the commentary on Sri Hemcandrasuri's Mahavir-Stuti and was written by Sri Mallisenacārya in 1293 A. D. It reflects author's deep study of the other systems of Indian Philosophy. At the end of the work in the last five couplets it expresses God's capacity to know the reality in its pure form."34
Acharya Hemchandra's "Yogasastra" has its own place in the history of Jaina religion. It tells how one who practices yoga "has to concentrate on his own soul as not different (abbhinna) from God." It also tells how meditator becomes free from his sins & attains Godhood.
Sri Nemichandra's "Dravyasagraha" is one of the authentic treatises on Jaina metaphyscs. It begins with a prayer which is out and out theistic in spirit. It also discusses, in its 3rd chapter "the path of salvation" (Moksa-marga). The commentary on this treatise written by Sri Brahmadeva gives a detailed description of the nature of God.
We also find phrases, prayers, discussions of God, nature of God and of Jaina Theism in Siddhasena Diwakar's "Nyāya Karnika" and "Sanmati-Prakarana". In the same way, even in Sri Haribhadrasuri's "Sad-darsana samuccaya" Jain God is described.3
Excluding many scriptures and quasi-canonical works, I will now take some leading personalities - an authority as well as mystic in their achevements. "Srimad Aanandghanji' of eighteenth century was a great spiritualist. He was a great poet and a jain monk. Similary Srimad Rajchandra, a contemporary and religious guru of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Sukhalalji, Pandit Dalsukh Malvania and so many authors of Jain Philosophy and Religion, including Dr. S. Radhakrishan, Dr. Dasgupta, Dr. J.P.Jain, Dr. Hari Satya Bhattacharya etc. have all shown Jainism to be highly theistic, believing in God and certainly not Atheism. Moreover, Jainism has its own popular beliefs, and Sadhana viz. A way to practice the
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
