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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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."
  3. Adharma (Medium of Rest): The medium that allows entities to come to rest, providing necessary support for motion to cease.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Comments

  1. 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).

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  2. The 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.

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  3. Getting a new perspective of the concept of soul. Unlike how each living being has a soul and the qualities yet vary from each one.

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  4. The 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.

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  5. I 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

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  6. I 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.

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  7. The 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.

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  8. Jainism'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.

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  9. Jainism teaches that God is a soul that has reached perfection so in that case anyone can become God . this is something unique

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  10. For 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.

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  11. 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. This is something which is new to me and They believe in equality

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  12. I 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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  13. The Tirthankaras serve as guiding figures, while the soul is seen as an eternal entity capable of achieving liberation through self-effort, ethical conduct, and the purification of karma.

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  14. God in Jainism is not a creator, preserver, or destroyer of the universe. God is defined as a soul (jiva). Each soul is inherently perfect, possessing qualities like infinite consciousness, power, and happiness.

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    Replies
    1. God in Jainism is not a creator, preserver, or destroyer of the universe. God is defined as a soul (jiva). Each soul is inherently perfect, possessing qualities like infinite consciousness, power, and happines

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  15. In Jainism, there is no creator God, but there are innumerable gods who are liberated souls. These liberated souls, called siddhas, are perfect beings with infinite knowledge. On the other hand, Every soul has the potential to become a god. Souls are found in all living beings. Souls are responsible for their own actions and destiny, and they must make their own efforts to achieve liberation.

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  16. In Jainism, the interplay between the soul and karma emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and purification, guiding individuals toward true liberation and fulfillment.

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  17. According to Jainism, the soul's innate capacity for divinity is hidden by karmic particles. Purification is the path to liberation, which results in a state of bliss, omniscience, and perfection.

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  18. I like the metaphysical concept in Jain philosophy that every living being has a soul that is inherently pure, possessing qualities like infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

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  19. Jainism has a unique concept of God as a perfect soul that has completely removed all karmas, unlike many other religious traditions that believe in a personal or creator God.

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  20. Jain philosophy teaches that right knowledge, conduct, and faith lead to perfect liberation. Souls bound to non-conscious matter, or Ajiva, strive for enlightenment. Jains embody kindness and compassion toward all beings, and I fully accept and respect Jainism.

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  21. Jainism does not have a concept of a personal God or creator. Instead, it focuses on the interconnectedness of all things and the belief in the eternal nature of the soul. The soul (jiva) is considered to be the fundamental principle of existence in Jainism. It is believed to be eternal, indestructible, and present in all living beings. The goal of Jain practice is to purify the soul and achieve liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth.

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  22. In Jainism the concept of God does not have instead they believe in soul. Their unique way of defining soul as God is very much different from all other religions. Their beleive in all living beings have soul inspirers me to think beyond.

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  23. Jainism does not believe in personal or creator God, the concept of soul is unique.

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  24. Jainism emphasizes self-purification over divine intervention, viewing every soul's liberation as attainable through the right knowledge, faith, and conduct. Godhood represents a liberated soul, not a creator.

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  25. "Karmas affect the soul's qualities, leading to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara)" this is something unique I found in Jainism

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  26. In Jainism, God is viewed as a perfected soul (Siddha) that has shed all karmas, contrasting with traditional creator deities. Every soul possesses inherent qualities of consciousness and bliss but is obscured by karma. Liberation (moksha) is achieved through right faith, knowledge, and conduct, making divinity accessible to all.

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  27. Jainism’s rejection of a creator God and focus on the soul's self-realization resonates with my belief in self-discipline and spiritual autonomy.






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  28. It was new for me to know that In Jainism, every being has a soul that is naturally perfect and full of potential. knowing this i am expressed with this belief .

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  29. The view of Jainism about God is as a perfected soul free from karma and emphasizes on personal spiritual development and liberation for all the souls.

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  30. i learnt that each soul is inherently perfect, possessing qualities like infinite consciousness, power, and happiness

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  31. Jainism does not believe in a personal or creator God. Instead, the concept of God in Jainism is pretty 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.

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  32. The concept of soul in Jainism is very simple and clear. It provokes and gives hope to people to become better versions of themselves.

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  33. In Jainism, there is no Creator God but they believe in existence of soul. And Karma is a central concept in Jainism, refers to intangible particles that attach to the soul due to actions driven by desires, passions, and attachments. These karmas affect the soul's qualities and experiences, leading to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

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  34. The concept of God is very simple, because there is no creator God. However, each soul can become a God when it is liberated from the Samsara.

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