Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 56

CYCLIC CHANGES NOT CREATION
Concept of Creator, Controller and Almighty God:
Jainism does not subscribe to the theory of creation by some super power almighty creator, controller and destroyer God. Those who adorn this concept attribute to such God the best and noblest qualities of utmost kindness, benevolence, and perfection without any faults. It is believed that nothing happens, moves, even a leaf does not flicker without his express will. There is obvious flaw and contradiction in this theory. If such almighty God is kind and benevolent, flawless and perfect, then how and why did he create such an imperfect, unkind world full of wars, pestilences, famines, droughts, floods, hunger, and untold miseries. If all that happens is by his express will, then no one does any wrong even a murderer, as he is ordained to do so. The scriptures of all sects and religions exhort the respective followers against bad deeds and extol good deeds. These preachings will be irrelevant if all manifestations, actions, good and bad are by the express wish of one almighty God. Also no good person will destroy his own good creation and God being good and perfect should not have created anything bad. It is ignorance about causes of various phenomena and events that conceptualised imaginary power God, controlling all events also solving all problems. It proved dangerous by killing the initiative, confidence and action by individuals, groups and societies
The creation theory has been questioned in Vedas, which are generally cited in its support. Upaniṣads, Gītā and Mahābhārata have also not supported it.
त्रिनाभि चक्रमजरमनर्वं यत्रेमा विश्वा भुवनाधि तस्थुः ।
Rgveda 1-164-2
i.e. Sun is eternal and is never destroyed