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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY “GOD IN JAINISM"
According to Jaina philosophical works, the definition of God is as follows:
God is that soul which has completely removed all karmas. Thus He is not in any way different from the liberated soul described above. The defining characteristic of Godhood is identical with that of liberation itself. To attain liberation is to attain Godhood. The meaning of the term Iśvara is powerful. So, the term īśvara can very well apply to the soul that has become powerful by attaining its perfectly pure nature constituted of four characteristic, viz. infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power and infinite bliss.
The basic idea of Paramātmā, God of Jaina, is that which possesses fourfold quality of infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power and infinite bliss. Thus, the undisputable nature of Paramātmā is constituted of these four qualities. We must recognize that every living being is essentially pure and has the capacity of developing its own nature.
Jaina philosophical works maintain that by constant practice of spiritual disciplines, right perception, right knowledge and right conduct, the means of liberation, the soul gradually develops and ultimately attains perfection. And when the perfection is attained, all coverings get removed and the soul's natural qualities of infinite belief, infinite knowledge, etc. get fully manifested.
Therefore that one who steadily advances on the path of spiritual development and makes right efforts to attain the state of absolute purity, i.e. liberation, can well become God.
Nature of Paramātmā
The nature of God in Jainism is somehow different in many ways than the nature of God found in other religions. In other religions, God is popularly metaphysical and purely theoretical. Several attributes are attached to him such as he is almighty; he is sustainer, destroyer and so on. Contrary to this theoretical idea of
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