WHOM DO THE JAINS WORSHIP ?
By Rikhab Dass Jain
Summary
The Jains worship Sarvagya Vitraga, an all-knowing, passionless entity free from raga (love), dvesha (hatred), and moha (ignorance). This supreme state, called Paramatman, possesses infinite knowledge, perception, happiness, and power, and is eternal, without beginning or end. It remains free from eighteen blemishes, including hunger, birth, death, disease, and desire. The ultimate goal of Jainism is to help the individual soul (jiva) attain this perfect, eternal state by purging worldly attachments and achieving liberation through spiritual discipline. Jainism reveres spiritually advanced beings who have realized these attributes and attained Parama Pada (supreme divinity). Among them, twenty-four Tirthankaras—teachers who show the path of Dharma in each cosmic cycle—are central figures. Jains worship these enlightened beings through images in temples, a practice often misunderstood as idolatry. However, the images serve as symbolic representations, not objects of worship themselves. The text clarifies that material images can influence human thought and emotion, much like words or ideas. While the soul (jiva) in its mundane state is entangled with matter and limited by worldly desires, it gradually regains its inherent knowledge (jnana) through spiritual practice. Worship involves contemplating the attributes of Paramatman, such as infinite knowledge and detachment, rather than the physical form. The use of images, words, or symbols is a practical means to focus the mind on these divine qualities, aiding spiritual progress.
Conclusion
The Jain worship of Tirthankaras, as embodied in their images, represents a profound spiritual aspiration toward the Paramatmic state of infinite knowledge, passionlessness, and liberation from worldly afflictions. This unique veneration, distinct from mere idolatry, emphasizes the transformative power of these enlightened beings who have achieved omniscience and serve as guides for souls striving to transcend raga, dvesha, and moha. The Jain tradition's focus on vitragta—detachment from emotional and mental defilements—underscores the philosophical depth of their worship, which aims not to revere inert objects but to embody the ideal of self-realization. By venerating the Tirthankaras, Jains seek to internalize the qualities of infinite happiness, power, and enlightenment, ultimately aspiring to merge with the eternal, unchanging Paramatman. This framework challenges conventional critiques of idolatry by highlighting the symbolic and meditative efficacy of such worship in fostering spiritual progress.