________________
JAINA CONCEPT OF GOD IN JAINA THEISM
169
(c) Dr. Nathmal Tatia, D. Litt. 84
God, according to the Jainas, is the symbol of all that is good and great, moral and virtuous. But he is not the creator or the preserver or the destroyer. He is not in any sense responsible for the destiny of the universe or the individual. Nor is he capable of granting grace to any individual. (d) Dr. Ramesh Chand Jain, Ph.D., D.Litt.85
Paramātmā (God) - He is said to be Paramātmā because he is highest reality.
Paramātmā (God) - He is samaya as he is self-manifesting in pure qualities and modes.
Paramātmā (God) - Jaina do not deny the existence of God (Paramātmā). God is described in Jaina scriptures, but there is difference between the description of God as given in these books and description given in the religious books of other faiths. The chief difference is that while God is described in the books of other faiths as being a creator and ruler, God is not so described in the Jaina books. God according to Jaina description is all knowing and perfectly happy soul with infinite capacities of activity a pure and perfect soul without any material body, a being that cannot perish or become degenerated. (e) Dr. K.C. Sogani, Ph.D.86
Soul and God, according to Jainism, are identical in as much as they are two stages of the same entity. The embodied Paramātman is Arhat, while the disembodied one is Siddha. Devotee is led to singing of praise of God. (f) Dr. Prem Suman Jain, Ph.D.87
84 Studies in Jaina philosophy, P.V.R.I. Varanasi, 5, 1951, P- 268 so Sudhā Sāgara, Jaina Dictionary, Sanganer, Jaipur, India, 1999, see P-176 * Ethical Doctrine in Jainism, P- 35, 69, 119, 2001 * Jainism and Prakrit in Ancient and Medieval India, P- 332-333
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
