Book Title: What is Jainism Author(s): Champat Rai Jain Publisher: Champat Rai JainPage 85
________________ 75 capacity for the fullest degree of knowledge- it is also blissful by nature-as such it is a God in and for itself-souls are all alike in respect of their substance and attributes-therefore what has been attained by one soul can also be attained by all others--the Divinity of the soul is at present negatived and rendered unmanifest by the association of matter, that is to say, by the companionship of the body-owing to the association of the body the soul is unable to enjoy its natural and divine privileges and functions but when it is completely rid of the association of matter it becomes a God in actual manifestationsalvation means the attainment of the natural divinity and Godhood and dissociation with the body--association with matter is due to desire for the gratification of the senses- Faith, Knowledge and Conduct of the right sort constitute the Path to Liberation the Soul that has become perfect is rid of all kinds of pain, and eternally enjoys perfection in respect of Knowledge and Happiness there is never a falling back into the condition of misery once Godhood is attained, that is to say, from the position of a God. I shall now show by a few quotations from the early Christian teachings that the views set out above were the real doctrines of the Christian creed though imparted in secret. 1. Immortality of the Soul : (a) "Neither can they die any more (Luke xx. 36). (b) The soul being incorporeal is simple; since thus it is both uncompound and indivisible into parts. It follows... that what is simple is immortal. . . and what is subject to dissolution is compound; consequently the soul being simple and not being made up of diverse parts, but being uncompound and indissoluble, must be, in virtue of that, incorruptible and immortal " (Ante Nicene Christian Library xx. 115). 2. THE RIGHT SOLUTION 64 The Fulness of Knowledge: (a)" In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and know ledge" (Ephasians iii. 4). Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.orgPage Navigation
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