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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
“Names and Virtues of the Supreme Being."
God devoid of virtues cannot be worshipped. In western philosophy also God is imbibed with several virtues, such as He is omnipotent, omniscient, and completely knowledgeable and so on. Names used in the Jaina and Hindu religions are: Lord of Universe, Supreme Knower, One who eliminates sorrows (Hari or Hara), transcendental reality (Brahman), and best among soul (Purusottama). Several other hundreds of such names used for supreme elements in Hinduism are also used for the Jaina Tīrthankaras.
According to Jaina tradition Brahman is one by the remembrance of which virtues are increased; a soul which has observed complete celibacy (brahmacarya) is supreme Brahman, and a soul, which is imbued with excellence of supreme knowledge (Kevala-jñāna) etc, is God. All Tīrthankaras have attained Kevalajñāna (omniscience). A soul, which detaches itself from the fruits of all deeds and imbibes the greatness of eight virtues, is the supreme soul, the merger of soul in its body becomes Visnu, and because it is responsible for its own development it is self-developed (Svayambhū).
In the Adipurāņa, Rsabhadeva, the first Tīrthankara of Jains, has been adored with title of Hiranyagarbha, (Golden Germ), Prajāpati (Lord of people) etc. these titles indicate several virtues of Rşabhadeva. Similarly in the Hindu scriptures among the thousands names of Vişnu many names of Tīrthankara are included.
(g) S. M. Jain88
"Cyclic changes not creation.” Arhats and Siddhas on attaining salvation are adorned as Godhood and worshipped only because they have shown the world ideal path, prescribed a code of
** Pristine Jainism' (beyond rituals and superstitious), P-55, PVRI, Varanasi
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