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Vol. XVII, No. 2
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the path of liberation, the destroyer of the mountains of Karmas and the knower of the whole of reality, so that I may realise those qualities.” Paul Tillich, a western philosoyher, also regards the supreme power as colourless, pure and like a wbite curtain. It can be perceived but is not capable of description. S2
Names used for the supreme element are similar in the Jain and Hindu religions. Lord of the universe, supreme knower, one who eliminates sorrows(Hari or Har), transcendental reality (Brahma) and best among souls (Purusottama). Several other hundreds of such names used for the supreme element in Hinduism are also used for the Jaina Tirtharkaras. However, all such names are represented as symbols. According to Jain traditions Brahma is one by the remembrance of which virtues are increased; a soul which has observed complete celibacy (Brahmcarya) is supreme Brahma, a soul which which is imbibed with excellence of supreme knowledge (Kaivala-Jñāna) etc. is God. A soul which devoids 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 Vişnu, and because it is responsible for its own development it is self-developed (Svayambhū).33 In the Adi-Purāna Rşabhadeo, the first Tirtharkara of the Jains, has been adored with the titles of (i) Hiranyagarbha. (ii) Transcendental Reality, and (iii) Lord of the people(Prajāpati) etc. These titles in dicate several virtues of Rşabhadeo. Similarly in Vedic scriptures among the thousand names of Vişnu' many names of Tirtharkaras are included. Hence in the analysis of the supreme power a process of reconciliation is discernible in the religious literature of the Hipdus and Jainas. But inspite of the above similarities in the names of the supreme soul in both the religions, there are some differences. But the names are insignificant here, and virtues are considered important. Therefore one Jaina saint says :
“Let me always salute him who is free from blemishes of anger, hatred etc., which haunt the mind like poison, who is full of compassion and who has perfected himself by all virtues, whether he is called by the name of Vişnu, Siva, Brahma;
Devendra, Sun, Moon, Bhagavān or Buddha.''36 Paths towards Attainment of Supreme Being
In Jaina and Hindu religions similarities do not exist only in the characteristics, virtues and names of the supreme being but also in attaining its status and in the ways of experiencing it. In Jaina religion, the way of spiritual practice has been shown by describing the form of universe through metaphysical analysis and raising the determination and potential for working by advancing the Karmic theory. It is the
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