Jainism a Glimpse

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

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JAINISM A GLIMPSE
A vast majority of people believe in God as the Almighty creator, who has created everything, the entire universe, the heaven, the hell, the earth, all the living beings. Man proposes and God disposes. On the Day of Judgement, He will Judge and will send them to eternal life in heaven, or hell as the case may be.
Concept of God in Jainism:
Jainism believes in God but not as a creator, a theory which neither denies the existence of the soul nor starts with the presupposition of a creator but makes each individual the master of his own destiny, holds out immortality for every living being, visible or invisible and insists upon very highest rectitude of life up to final perfection, as a necessary means to permanent happiness now and hereafter. The Jaina "Spiritual Leaders" live in flesh on earth as ordinary men, when purged of all the infatuating elements like anger, hatred or other passions and attain this state, of pure soul, leading to final beatitude in life, everlasting omniscience. Only thereafter the religion is propounded by the "Omniscient" Teachers" (Jaina Arhatas). At the end of their lifespan, leaving the body, the soul attains the final pure natural state of existence (Pure Effulgence Divine) in everlasting spiritual bliss. The "Mõkşa" that is "Siddhatva" (Godhood) has the beginning but no end. All the souls attaining "Siddhatva" are equal in all respects and they have their own individuality.
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