Concept of GOD

Jainism is a religion of purely human origin. It is propagated by self-realized individuals who have attained perfect knowledge, omniscience and self-control by personal effort and have been liberated from the bonds of worldly existence and the cycle of all future life and death.

In ancient times Jainism was known by many names such as the Saman tradition, the religion of Nirgrantha, or Jina. Literally, Jina means a conqueror, or one who has conquered the inner enemies of worldly passions such as desire, hatred, anger, greed and pride by personal effort. A Jina is a human being and not a supernatural being or an incarnation of the almighty God. Jinas are popularly viewed as Gods in Jainism. There are an infinite number of Jinas. All human beings have the potential to become a Jina.

The Jinas are not Gods in the sense of being the creators of the universe, but rather as those who have accomplished the ultimate goal of liberation through the true understanding of self and other realities. The concept of God as a creator, protector and destroyer of the universe does not exist in Jainism. The concept of God's descent into a human form to destroy evil is also not applicable in Jainism.

The Jinas that have established the religious order and revived the Jain philosophy at various times in the history of mankind are known as Tirthankaras. The ascetic sage, Rishabhadev was the first and Maliavir was the last of the spiritual lineage of the twenty-four Tirthankars in the current era.

In summary, Jainism does not believe in a creator God. However this does not mean that Jainism is an atheistic religion since it believes in an infinite number of Jinas (Gods) who are self-realized omniscient individuals who have attained liberation from birth, death and suffering.

"Jainism is of very high order. Its important teachings are based upon science. The more the scientific knowledge advances the more the Jain teachings will be proved,"

-L. P. Tessitori, Italy

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