Jain Dharm Me Ishwar Ki Avadharna

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Dharm me Ishwar ki Avadharna" by Saubhagyamal Jain, focusing on the concept of "Ishwar" (God) in Jainism:

Core Argument: The text argues that Jainism, fundamentally, does not subscribe to the concept of an Ishwar (God) in the way most other religions do. It rejects the notions of a creator God, a divine judge, or a being who grants salvation or forgiveness through prayer or devotion. Instead, Jainism emphasizes the inherent divinity and potential for liberation within every soul.

Understanding "Ishwar":

• The author begins by clarifying the meaning of "Ishwar," "Bhagwan," and "Paramatma," defining them as synonyms referring to a being endowed with supreme qualities: total wealth (aishwarya), righteousness (dharma), fame (yash), prosperity (shri), knowledge (gyan), and dispassion (vairagya).
• The text acknowledges the diverse concepts of God in other religions: creator, regulator, dispenser of rewards and punishments, merciful forgiver, or mere witness.

Comparison with Other Traditions:

• Vedic Tradition: The early Vedic period saw polytheism, attributing divinity to natural forces due to a lack of scientific understanding. Later, the concept evolved to a singular, ultimate reality (Brahman), with differing views on its nature (nirguna - without attributes, or saguna - with attributes) in Advaita and Dvaita Vedanta respectively.
• Islam: The text highlights Islam's strict monotheism, emphasizing the oneness of Allah and the rejection of associating partners (Shirk). Sufi mysticism is presented as a path that sees the divine within the self and the universe, with concepts of unity and divine love.
• Saints and Mystics: Figures like Kabir are mentioned as deeply immersed in divine love, criticizing religious dogma and emphasizing the immanent nature of the divine within oneself.
• Theistic Worship and Flattery: The author notes that even within monotheistic traditions, some poets have portrayed God's mercy in ways that border on flattery, implying a transactional relationship.

Jainism's Distinctive Position:

• Rejection of Creator God: Jainism explicitly denies a creator God. The universe is seen as beginningless and endless, operating on the principle of cause and effect (karya-karan). There is no cosmic destruction or total annihilation.
• Rejection of Karmic Judge/Giver of Grace: Jainism does not believe in an external entity that judges actions, dispenses rewards or punishments, or grants forgiveness through prayers or chanting. The individual soul is solely responsible for its karma.
• Self-Sufficiency and Self-Reliance: The text strongly emphasizes that every living being is independent in its actions and directly experiences the consequences of its good and bad deeds. There is no power in any "Ishwar" to forgive or to be pleased by mere remembrance.
• Modern Science Alignment: The author asserts that Jainism's understanding of the universe operating through cause and effect is in line with modern scientific principles.
• No Incarnations or Personalized Godhood: Jainism does not accept the concept of God taking on an avatar or assuming a human form (Personalised Godhood).
• Inherent Divinity of the Soul: The core of Jain philosophy is that every soul (Jiva) is inherently pure, conscious, and blissful (Shuddha-Buddha-Mukt). The path to liberation is the shedding of karmic impediments.
• The Concept of "Ishwaratva" (Godhood/Paramatva): While rejecting a creator Ishwar, Jainism does accept the concept of "Ishwaratva" or "Paramatva" – the state of perfect purity, omniscience, and bliss that a liberated soul (Siddha) achieves. This is not an external entity but the ultimate potential within the soul itself.
• The Fourteen Gunsthanas: The text points to the fourteen stages of spiritual progress (Gunsthanas) in Jainism as a scientific framework for the soul's evolution towards its true, liberated state.
• "Amritasy Putrah" (Sons of Immortality): Jainism champions the inherent dignity and potential of the human being, viewing them as "sons of immortality." It contrasts this with the notion of being inherently sinful or dependent on a divine entity.
• Human Birth's Supremacy: Jainism posits that a human birth is superior to even a divine birth. Gods themselves must take a human birth to achieve liberation.
• Freedom from Divine Servitude: The text concludes by reiterating that humans are free from the need for servitude or appeasement of any deity. All great spiritual leaders, regardless of their tradition, have ultimately guided humanity towards self-improvement and the realization of their inherent divine nature.

In essence, Jainism presents a philosophy of self-empowerment, where liberation is achieved through personal effort, ethical conduct, and the purification of the soul, rather than through the grace or intervention of an external God.