________________
JAINA CONCEPT OF GOD IN JAINA THEISM
it is only the impurity of one's own mind that is the cause of one's bad desert. This is easily understandable. From this follow the principle that the cause of one's pleasure and pain is one's own karma, which is ultimately governed, by one's mental states. And the means by which one can make mental state good and wholesome, is the worship of Paramātmā (God) ultimately leads the devotee to spiritual welfare."
166
In short, according to the Jainas, whether (Paramātmā) God is creator or not, does not matter, as much, it concerns to philosophers and scholars. For them, He is a perfect soul. He is absolutely pure. He has destroyed all passions and removed all impurities. As a result of this, He manifests infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite bliss and infinite power. This is reason why he is regarded as Paramātmā (God). By meditating on his pure qualities, the Jaina reminds daily of the possibility of attaining this highest state. He purifies his mind by contemplation of the pure and strengthens his heart for the uphill journey to liberation Worship, for the Jaina, is not seeking for mercy and pardon."
167
(g) Divine Grace
201
Divine grace, though more related to theology than philosophy; however it is one of the common characteristics of theistic religions. Theism means, primarily, belief in God and it is by pleasing that God through prayers, as said in Vedanta, one can obtain salvation through His mercy. But the Jains cannot accept this position. In Jainism, the Tirthankara makes the individual the architect of his fortune and the maker of his destiny."
168
169
The descent of the Divine Grace cannot be arbitrary. It presupposes a spiritual preparation of the individual self as a condition. The Jaina would have it that this very condition
166 Jaina Philosophy and Religion", P-37 167 Muni Shri Nyayavijayaji, Ibid, P-37 168S.C. Chatterji and D.M. Datta: Philosophy"P-420
169Dr. Nathmal Tatia, "Studies in Jaina Philosophy"" (1951), P-218
Jain Education International
"An Introduction to Indian
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
