Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

Author(s): Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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regarded by Indian mind, not as merely concept, speculative and problematic as in the case of Western philosophy, but a thing directly known.
Theism is a word given by the Western scholars and philosophers to define belief in God who creates the world or belief in divine creation or existence of God.
Theism of Jainas is a spiritual philosophy having belief in God- Tīrthankara. Purāņic details suggest that God as a creator of the universe is broadly discussed in Vedic philosophy. God of Jaina has nothing to do with the creation of the universe.
There are four important characteristics of theism, viz. soul, karma, God and Mokșa (liberation). One cannot understand theistic philosophy of Jainism unless he critically evaluates these four concepts in the light of Vedic philosophy, Buddhism, SāmkhyaYoga, Nyāya-Vaišeșika, Pūrva-Mīmāṁsakas and Vedānta.
Early Mīmāṁsakas are silent about God and latter ones reject the proofs given for the existence of creator God as universe has neither beginning nor end, hence does not require any creator. Sāṁkhya does not believe in God as creator and according to them God is ontologically irrelevant and logically repellent. The concept of God is an extraneous graft on Yoga system. God had no place in early Nyāya-Vaišeșika school but later on its concept crept in very texture of Nyāya-Vaiseșika philosophy. It is only Yoga and Vedānta, besides Nyāya-Vaišeșika wherein God is formally acknowledged. Buddhist personified Lord Buddha, as God similar to Jainas who believe Tīrthankara as God.