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Soul Science : Samayasāra by Jain Ācārya Kundakunda
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be destroyed. The details of basic constituents of the cosmos are presented in Appendix-3
Question: What about God in Jain philosophy?
Answer: The answer of this question depends on the definition of God. If God
means the Governor/Controller then the Jain philosophy would say that each constituent functioning under the non-changeable universal laws is the Governor/Controller of itself. If God means a soul in the most blissful state then each Arahanta as well as each Siddha is God. A Siddha is known as Paramātmā (the supreme soul) without physical body. An Arahanta is known as Paramātmā (the supreme soul) with physical body. Bhagavāna is another popular word in Jain philosophy for Paramātmā. An equivalent term for "Siddha” or Arahanta or Paramātmā or Bhagavāna in English is not available, but the closest word is “God”. With such equivalence, we can say that to a common Jain, each Arahanta as well as each Siddha is God. Idols of Arahanta are worshipped in sacred Jain centers known as Jain temples or Jina-Mandira. It may also be noted that the most sacred Mantra of Jains is known as Namokara Mantra. This Mantra has five sentences. The meaning of its first sentence is: Obeisance to all Arahanta. The meaning of the second sentence is: Obeisance to all Siddha. In the remaining three sentences of this Mantra a devotee speaks of obeisance to all those saints who have renounced
worldly possessions and are following the path of liberation. Question: Why do Jains worship Arahanta and Siddha if they cannot give any
advantage to devotees? Answer: The followers of Arahanta and Siddha have sacred places such as temples
where persons worship Arahanta and Siddha to seek inspiration. Arahanta and Siddha do not control the fate of the worshipers but they are ideals. Therefore, the act of prayer and worship changes the psychological and spiritual health of devotees. Such a change in the state of mind creates good luck for devotees as per Kārmika laws.
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