The concept of God in Jainism is multifaceted at best. According to Jainism, the universe together with all that is in it are all eternal objects (Flügel 975). Consequentially, all these objects lack a starting point or an ending point. Additionally, Jainism holds to the view that the universe self manages itself based on the cosmic laws with the substances in the universe undergoing modifications all by their own. According to this school of thought, nothing in the universe can be destroyed or created (Wiley 150). This belief in effect eliminates the need of a creator or deity who manages the affairs of the universe. Hence, the concept of God as a creator or a destroyer in Jainism is nonexistent.
Nonetheless, Jainism does believe in God. God, in this sense being a perfect person. Interestingly, any human being can become God! When one successfully get rids of his karmas -reference to the total of one’s actions in both the present and previous states of existence, his soul becomes liberated and he resides in Moksha, a perfect state of bliss. In this state of liberation and bliss, the person has infinite understanding, vision power and bliss. This person is now ‘God’ in Jainism (Flügel 978).
Consequentially, any person can become ‘God’ and therefore the concept of one Deity is nonexistent in Jainism. As more people become liberated and enlightened, they attain deity hence becoming numerous ‘Gods’. According to Jainism, karmas tie down every person’s soul and religion is responsible for untying these karmas. Numerous karmas (eight in broad categorization) thus exist and upon their untying, freedom and deity is attained.
Conclusively, in Jainism believes in God, but that every person can become God when a certain level of liberation of the soul is attained. The universe on the other hand, has no need to be held together by any deity since it exists on its own according to the cosmic laws.
Work cited
Flügel, Peter. "Jainism." Encyclopedia of Global Studies 3 (2012): 975-979.
Wiley, Kristi L. "Supernatural powers and their attainment in Jainism." Yoga powers: Extraordinary capacities attained through meditation and concentration (2012): 145-94.
