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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM”
controlled and peaceful conditions is held to be extremely auspicious; not only will rebirth in lower existence be effective precluded in this way, but the individuals in question is deemed likely to find himself in an environment conducive to rapid spiritual development.
We see that almost all religions, especially those of Vedic origin, emphasize importance of old age, last moment of life; however, Jaina's karma philosophy is a unique philosophy, based upon the idea of Āyuşya-karma. The distinctive Jaina doctrine pertaining to rebirth namely, the momentariness of vigraha-gati is based on the Āyusya-karma, which is in contrast with Brāhmanic or Hindu system. Hence, the basic social distinction between Jainas and their Hindu neighbours derives mainly from the disagreement of these communities over the period of time required for transmigration of soul to occur.
Jains living side by side with the Hindu society, for over years, have adopted many Hindu customs and ceremonies, such as pājās (rituals); marriage customs and rituals, New Year and child birth and so on. However, Jainas have not adopted most important ritual of Hindu society, namely Śrāddha," which is pertaining to death and rebirth, and very much expressive of Vedic or Hindu philosophy of rebirth.
Śrāddha, a Hindu ritual, is offering a food by son to the spirit of his dead parent. The belief (held by Brāhmanic class & caste) is that this offering is essential if the soul of the parent is to obtain a body suitable for entrance into the pitr-loka and hence to gain chance for eventual rebirth. It is further believed that the failure of a son to perform the ritual will result in loss of inheritance and his wife is being rendered barren by the curse of the spirit (of father) thus stranded in the disembodied state.
4/Dr. Padmanabh S. Jaini, “Collected papers on Jaina Studies”, (2000), P-134 in note No. 38 on page 143
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