Jainism Eternal and Universal Path for Enlightenment

Author(s): Narendra Bhandari
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

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Jainism: The Eternal and Universal path for Enlightenment
Jain cosmology because these features are not explicitly mentioned in the scriptures. Jain Cosmology:
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Jains divide the universe in two parts Loka and Aloka. Loka, the visible universe is finite, defined by the existence of the six reals, Jiva, matter, 1k'sh, dharm1stik 1ya, adharm1stik 1ya and k1I (chapter 7). Beyond the Loka is Aloka, the invisible universe, which has infinite expanse. Mahendra Muni has discussed the Jain cosmology and compared it with modern cosmology in great depth in his treatise "Enigma of the Universe". Briefly, Jain cosmology is a Steady State cosmology. It assumes that the universe has been always like this, without beginning and without end. The Jain concept of a Steady State-Oscillating Universe is as follows.
The shape of the Jain universe (Loka) is very peculiar (Fig 8.1b). This kind of structure is surely not stable unless it rotates around its vertical axis. But rotation can only be inferred with respect to a fixed frame of reference. If the coordinate system rotates with the Universe, we will not notice it. Also, sharp edges and corners are not permitted in large structures by physics. It may be borne in mind that there is no direction (up or down as mentioned in the scriptures) in space. It is difficult to reconcile Jain Universe with the Big Bang Universe. Some crude agreement between modern and Jain concepts can be obtained if the universe is assumed to be a triplet with density greater, equal to and less than the critical density, superimposed on each other as proposed by N.L. Kachhara. A spherical, close Universe with positive curvature, a flat universe with no curvature and an open Universe with negative curvature can co-exist side by side or even overlapping each other. The Loka, which is our Universe, is a flat Universe acting as an interface between the Universe with negative curvature (called Hell by Jains) and the closed spherical Universe is the sphere on top (called Devaloka by Jains) as shown in Fig. 8. la.
Alternatively, the shape of the Jain Universe looks more like a projection of a four (or more) dimensional object on a our 3 dimensional space (see, e.g. Ouspensky, P.D.). Some of the modern theories suggest that our Universe may have 11 dimensions and it may be difficult to draw it on the 3D euclidean space.
The Jain universe basically goes through a cyclic change called the Jain wheel of time (k *Ichakra). This cycle repeats itself over and over again for ever. One complete cycle is divided in to two parts, Utsarpini and Avsarpini. Each of these have a period of 10 Kod Kodi Sagaropams, the exact equivalent in years is controversial, but it is 1. For Jain units of space and time, See for example books by Nath Mal Tatiya or Muni Kanak Nandiji or Enigma of the Universe by Mahendra Muni.