Jain Science and Spirituality
by Medhavi Jain | 2020 | 61,419 words
This essay studies the elements of Jainism and investigates how Jain science and philosophy can give the world answers to through science and spirituality. Instead of interpreting it as a confined, strict philosophy, it is shown that Jainism represents a path towards self-awakening through self-improvement....
5.3. Godhood and the Universe
Many people call Jainism a way of life and not a religion.
Though rare are those who can elaborate it further.
‘Jainism isn't a conviction framework, but instead a method for right association with the living universe that we are intrinsically part of. It did not depend on philosophy of a Creator that we should all bow down to, but upon recognition of the sacred nature of all life. Jainism is a profound science or method for higher knowledge and ought to be treated in that capacity, in the event that we need to truly comprehend and value the incredible endowments of understanding that it can offer to us.’[1]
In our general life spirituality is considered as going to temples and keeping fasts but it is far ahead than this, a step towards inner conquest and gaining knowledge.
Jainism stands for extreme optimism which belongs to the self only. Here each karma, good or bad, can be done only to the self.
‘Jain accentuation on flawlessness and perfectibility, denotes a spirit of extreme confidence. Indeed, the occupied universe is blemished and life inside it is imperfect, yet the genuine idea of life is adjusted, requested and free. All embodied living beings have the likelihood of moving in the direction of flawlessness, regardless of whether that implies encountering numerous exemplifications to arrive.’[2]
What required is awakening, which eventually takes one there, no hurry, no race but an honest desire to move ahead through knowledge and dedication.
Each soul is capable of achieving godhood.
Deities are there to be worshipped but they, too, have their limits and humans are better than them in a way that to attain godhood even the deities have to take birth as humans.
‘The ideal soul or completely acknowledged Jiva has omniscience and interminability, empathy and serenity, traits that different beliefs relegate to heavenly powers. In this sense, there is a 'divine sparkle' inside all living things: the vast capability of Jiva.’[3]
The difference lies in the layers of karma else all beings are same, with the same divine spark.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
LJ. pp. 1
[2]:
Ibid. pp. 79
[3]:
Ibid. pp. 79