Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

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

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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
According to Jaina philosophy the pure and perfect soul is considered as a Supreme Being or Paramātmā i.e. God. Following discussion is based on the spiritual development of the Soul from the mundane soul (Bahirātmā) to perfect soul (Paramātmā).
I. (i) Stages of Spiritual Quest:
As per Acārya Kundakunda, Jaina mysticism comprises realization of the transcendental self (Paramātman) through internal self (Antaratman), after renouncing the external self (Bahirātman)."
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In Jainism the soul has been defined generally of two types.+
1. Baddha (mundane soul)
2. Mukta (liberated soul)
There are two classifications of spiritual quest in Jainism.
1. Theory of fourteen guṇasthānas.
2. Theory of three stages of spiritual development.
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The second classification is similar to Upanisadic classification of the soul. The Upaniṣads have two; three and fourfold classification of the soul. In two-fold classification, the soul is of two kinds-inner-self (Antaḥprajña) and outer-self (Bahiṣprajña);° in three-fold classification it is of three kinds- external-self (Bahirātmā), internal-self (Antarātmā) and transcendental or supreme-self (Paramātmā) and in four-fold classification four stages of the soul are: (i) awakened state (Jāgrata), (ii) dreaming state (Svapna), (iii) sleeping state (Sușupti), and transcendental state (Turiya).
Keeping in view the spiritual quest three stages of self-have been defined
3 Mokṣapahuḍa, 4, 7
Tattvärtha Sūtra, II.10
Gommaṭasāra, Jīva-kāṇḍa, 9-10 Mandukyopaniṣad, 7
Ibid, 2/12
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