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THE BRIGHT ONES IN JAINISM.
[Reverend Professor I. W. Johory, M.A., Ph. D., Canadian Mission College, Indore, while reviewing the small book “The Bright Ones in Jainism" (Svarga Loka) by Rai Bahadur J. L. Jaini, M.A., M.R.A.S., Bar-at-Law, Price 8 Annas, says, “Its perusal has given me clearer idea of the place of God and gods or rather Celestials in Jainism. I am writing a book on Jainism and this will help me very much in my study. I have some questions to ask and I shall be glad to get answers whenever you get time. (These questions with answers by J. L. Jaini are given below). I have asked too many questions but I have asked to get a clearer conception of the place of God in Jainism. The little book you have written is a contribution to the Jain Literature and I am sure not only the Jain world but others will be grateful for the knowledge of the Celestials, you have taken pains to impart."-Ed. J. G.]
Question 1. Is there any relation between the Ideal Being and the universe ? If so, what relation? You define God as the Highest Ideal Being and so it must be an individual not plural.
Answer. There are six .primordial and eternal Substances (Dravyas) in Jainism : 1. Soul (Jiva). 2. Matter (Pudgala). 3. Medium of Motion (Dharma). 4. Medium of Rest (Adharma). 5. Time (Kala). 6. Space (Akasa). The Highest Ideal Being or God is pure soul. The embodied, mundane, living beings whom we see as men, animals, and plants, are all Souls in combination with Karmic matter. They are impure souls. They are souls who have got mixed up with sin. They are those who are contaminated with the weakness or Downfall of man.
There are only two classes of Souls from this point of view. (1) The impure, embodied, sinful souls. In Jainism, these are called Samsari souls. (2) Souls who have become free from this impurity, embodiment and sin. These Pure, Disembodied, Sinless Souls form the second class and are called Siddha (Fully realised) or Mukta (Liberated). These Souls are Gods. They are plural; but from the point of view of their being in one and
the same condition, God may be said to be ONE only. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
