Concept of God and Soul in Jainism
Concept of God in Jainism
Jainism does not believe in a personal or creator God. Instead, the concept of God in Jainism is unique and fundamentally different from many other religious traditions. In Jainism, God is defined as a soul (jiva) that has reached perfection by removing all karmas. The defining characteristic of Godhood is the complete removal of all karmas.
In Jain philosophy, every living being has a soul that is inherently pure, possessing qualities like infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. However, in its ordinary state, the soul is encumbered by karmas, which obscure its true nature. Karmas are subtle particles that attach to the soul due to actions driven by desires, passions, and attachments. These karmas affect the soul's qualities, leading to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). Spiritual purification involves removing karmas through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (the three jewels or ratnatraya). When a soul removes all karmas, it attains liberation (moksha). A soul that has removed all karmas is called a Siddha, free from the cycle of birth and death, residing in eternal bliss and omniscience. This state of a Siddha is considered divine, and thus a Siddha is regarded as God.
God in Jainism is not a creator, preserver, or destroyer of the universe. The universe operates according to its own inherent laws. Emphasis is placed on personal spiritual development and liberation rather than worship of a creator deity. Any soul can become God by following the path of purification and removing all karmas, making divinity accessible to all beings. Spiritual discipline in Jainism involves rigorous self-control and adherence to ethical principles, such as meditation, fasting, and non-violence. Right knowledge is the correct understanding of reality, including the nature of the soul, karma, and the universe. Right faith involves a deep conviction and trust in the teachings of the Tirthankaras and the principles of Jainism. Right conduct means living in accordance with ethical principles and engaging in behaviors that promote spiritual purity.
Through consistent practice of these elements, a person gradually purifies their soul, shedding the karmic impurities that obscure its true nature. As the soul becomes purer, its inherent qualities manifest fully. The soul achieves a state of perfect liberation (moksha), existing in its purest form, free from all karmic bondage, a state referred to as Godhood. Though Jains reject a creator God, they meditate on and worship liberated, perfect souls for guidance and inspiration. Worship in Jainism is not for seeking mercy or pardon but is an expression of reverence. As the Jain lay community grew, rituals and religious practices evolved to reflect this reverence and internal devotion.
The Concept of Soul in Jainism
Jainism posits that every living and non-living being has a soul (Jiva). Each soul is inherently perfect, possessing qualities like infinite consciousness, power, and happiness. These intrinsic qualities represent the soul's true, unblemished state. However, not all souls are equally conscious in their current state, and the varying levels of consciousness and awareness among souls are due to the influence of karma.
Karma consists of subtle particles that attach to the soul due to actions driven by desires, passions, and attachments, affecting the soul's qualities and experiences. This leads to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). Souls are eternally associated with non-sentient or non-conscious matter, known as Ajiva. Jain philosophy classifies Ajiva into five broad categories:
- Pudgala (Matter): Includes all forms of matter, from physical bodies and objects to subtle karmic particles. Pudgala can transform and has qualities like touch, taste, smell, and color.
- Dharma (Medium of Motion): A subtle substance that enables motion in the universe, not to be confused with the ethical or religious meaning of "dharma."
- Adharma (Medium of Rest): The medium that allows entities to come to rest, providing necessary support for motion to cease.
- Akasha (Space): The medium that accommodates all substances, both sentient (Jiva) and non-sentient (Ajiva). It is infinite and provides room for everything to exist.
- Kala (Time): An abstract entity facilitating the process of change, crucial for understanding the continuity and transformation of states.
The interaction between Jiva and Ajiva, particularly through the accumulation of karmic particles, leads to the soul's bondage. This bondage, resulting from the soul's association with matter, affects its purity and capabilities. By removing karmas, a soul can remove this bondage and regain its natural perfections.
Link for Class: https://youtu.be/n1JBSaEYg2U
Link for PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17BS3-pJ-gM6LR1kSnGKvqat9xVQh3k0X/view?usp=sharing
The Concept of Soul is unique. The Indian Philosophy , western Philosophy and the religions which believes these teachings on soul is worth learning. According Jainism soul is Jiva( Inherently perfect).
ReplyDeleteThe concept of God in Jainism, where anyone can become a god, is exciting for me. This concept can help the Jain community transcend their karmic cycle of rebirth.
ReplyDeleteGetting a new perspective of the concept of soul. Unlike how each living being has a soul and the qualities yet vary from each one.
ReplyDeleteThe karmic particles that cover our "Jiva" has to be removed in the course of time to reach siddha. This is what is most fascinating in the Jainism .According to this concept, anyone can become God if we are removed of the Karmic Particles. Thus this denotes that humans are Divine.
ReplyDeleteI encounter the soul is a different entity in various philosophies. Each have a unique understanding of this soul. In Jainism the soul is the purest form and perfect. I find similarity in western philosophy the perfect one and eternal one which is the good
ReplyDeleteI am impressed by the teaching and the believe of Jainism, yet I find something lacking. We are all doomed to comit sin in one or other way and if there is no forgiveness we will never be able to attain liberation.
ReplyDeleteThe teaching of Jainism doesn't mention the concept of God because they believe in individual good deeds which lead them to liberation or enlightenment and then themselves become a god. so it was quite surprising to me because it made me feel unworthy but that is their belief I should respect their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteJainism's unique concept of God as a perfected soul devoid of karmas highlights personal spiritual development and liberation over traditional worship of a creator deity.
ReplyDeleteJainism teaches that God is a soul that has reached perfection so in that case anyone can become God . this is something unique
ReplyDeleteFor Jains God is not the creator GOd but the soul that has reached perfection. Jain Philosophy tells us that every living and non - living being has a soul. Karma affects soul's quality. The soul that has removed all karma is called Siddha, divine, God. Meditation, fasting , non - violence , the right knoweldge, the conduct , the right faith help the to achieve the state of perfect liberation. Souls associated with non - conscious matter known as Ajiva. Jains are good and kind to all. I accept and respect jainsim.
ReplyDeleteJainism does not believe in a personal or creator God. Instead, the concept of God in Jainism is unique and fundamentally different from many other religious traditions. This is something which is new to me and They believe in equality
ReplyDeleteI see some special in Jainism regarding God, who is not a creator or personal. The soul is given secret place in practice of faith. Thought it is affected by karmic particals but there is a way to purify oneself in Jainism. I find Jiva in both living and non living.
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