Jainism a Glimpse

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

Page 19

Untenability of the Theory of God as Creator:
It is for consideration, if God created the universe etc., where was he before the creation ? What were his reasons for creation ? Why did he create good, bad and evil in human, animal and lower beings, children of the same parents, one is bright and handsome, the other is dull & rickety, one is blind or crippled even from birth. One becomes brutal like Hitler. Why all these wars, destructions, sufferings and inequalities ? God cannot be partial or cruel. After death if the soul has to wait for the judgement day, what will the soul do in the meantime ? Good people will go to heaven and evil to hell for eternal life. Will there be a difference in intensity and duration for mass-murderers & an ordinary sinner and on similar lines considerations in heaven ? Let us not put the blame on God for our misdeeds or good conduct, miseries or happiness.
Jaina's view of the Creation of the Universe.
Jainism propounds that the whole cosmos (even though indeterminable yet of limited dimension, 'Lõkākāśa') occupies a very infinitesimal portion of infinite pure space (ALOKĀKĀŚA). There was no beginning, there will be no end,. eternal but with continuous modifications (Paryāya).
The Soul:
One of the Six basic Substances which are uncreate, self existent without beginning or end, only modifications. No new souls are created, it is a continuous cycle of birth and rebirth in four states of existence (GATI) i.e. (i) Human condition. (ii) Sub Human condition of lower forms of life. (iii) Angels in
18