Jain Cosmology

Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the physical and metaphysical Universe (loka) and its constituents (such as living, matter, space, time etc.) according to Jainism, which includes the canonical Jain texts, commentaries and the writings of the Jain philosopher-monks.

Eternal UniverseJain cosmology considers the loka, or universe, as an uncreated entity, existing since infinity, having neither beginning nor end.

Shape of the UniverseJain texts describe the shape of the universe as similar to a man standing with legs apart and arm resting on his waist.

The Universe is broad at the top, narrow at the middle and once again becomes broad at the bottom.

The universe consists of infinite amount of Jiva (souls).

The narrow waist part comprises various Kshetras, for vicharan (roaming) for humans, animals and plants. Currently we are in the Bharat Kshetra of Jambu Dweep (island).

The Deva Loka (Heavens) are at the symbolic "chest" of Creation, where all devas (gods) reside. Similarly, beneath the "waist" are the Narka Loka (Hell). There are seven Naraka Lokas, each for a varying degree suffering a jiva has to go through to face the consequences of its paap karma (sins). From the first to the seventh Naraka, the degree of suffering increases and light reaching it decreases (with no light in the seventh Naraka).

The sidhha kshetra or moksha is situated at the symbolic forehead of the creation, where all the jivas having attained nirvana reside in a state of complete peace and eternal happiness. Outside the symbolic figure of this creation nothing but aloka or akaasha (sky) exists.

Kalachakra
According to Jainism, time is beginning less and eternal. The Kālacakra, the cosmic wheel of time, rotates ceaselessly. The wheel of time is divided into two half-rotations, Utsarpiṇī or ascending time cycle and Avasarpiṇī, the descending time cycle, occurring continuously after each other.

Utsarpiṇī is a period of progressive prosperity and happiness where the time spans and ages are at an increasing scale, while Avsarpiṇī is a period of increasing sorrow and immorality with decline in time-spans of the epochs. Each of this half time cycle consisting of innumerable period of time (measured in Sagaropama and Palyopama years) is further sub-divided into six aras or epochs of unequal periods. Currently, the time cycle is in avasarpiṇī or descending phase with the following epochs.

Constituents of the Universe
This Universe is made up of what Jains call six dravya or reals or substances classified as follows:

Jīva (Living Substances)

Jīva i.e. Souls - Soul (Jīva) exists as a reality, having a separate existence from the body that houses it. It is characterised by chetana (consciousness) and upayoga (knowledge and perception).[3] Though the soul experiences both birth and death, it is neither really destroyed nor created. Decay and origin refer respectively to the disappearing of one state of soul and appearing of another state, these being merely the modes of the soul.[4]

Ajīva (Non-Living Substances)

Pudgala (Matter)) - Matter is classified as solid, liquid, gaseous, energy, fine Karmic materials and extra-fine matter i.e. ultimate particles. Paramāṇu or ultimate particle (atoms) is the basic building block of all matter. One of the qualities of the Paramāṇu and Pudgala is that of permanence and indestructibility. It combines and changes its modes but its basic qualities remain the same. According to Jainism, it cannot be created nor destroyed.

Dharma-tattva (Principle of Motion) and

Adharma-tattva (Principle of Rest) - Dharmastikāya and Adharmastikāya are distinctly peculiar to Jaina system of thought depicting the principle of Motion and Rest. They are said to pervade the entire universe. Dharma and Adharma are by itself not motion or rest but mediate motion and rest in other bodies. Without Dharmastikāya motion is not possible and without Adharmastikāya rest is not possible in universe.

Ākāśa (Space) - Space is a substance that accommodates the living souls, the matter, the principle of motion, the principle of rest and time. It is all-pervading, infinite and made of infinite space-points.

Kāla (Time) - Kāla is a real entity according to Jainism and all activities, changes or modifications can be achieved only through the progress of time.

Source:Wikipedia:Jain Cosmology

The Universal Form - Do Not Judge The Infinite

PART 1 - "DO NOT JUDGE THE INFINITE"

The question - 'Does God exist?' is half baked. It has no meaning really.

The word 'God' is just a pointer to the infinite.

The word 'exist' is AMBIGUOUS, to say the least.

Contemplative focus on the infinite is the only meaningful exercise. The "Me" in the Bhagvad Gita represents this infinity.


PART 2 - "THE UNIVERSAL FORM"

A confused and fearful Arjun is counselled by Lord Krishna.

In the process of the counselling, Arjun is blessed with visions of the Universal form of Krishna.

To Think Or Not To Think

Our biggest enemies are what we call 'our thoughts'

But our 'thoughts' are not insurmountable.

These are not really 'thoughts', but that is out of scope of this blog entry so we will use the terminology 'thoughts' here.


Firstly we have to know that the out of control stream of 'thoughts' can be controlled and influenced by us. It is very much possible.

Equanimityandpeace.wordpress.com writes:

It is only through conscious intervention that you can make your mind change course from automatically recycling negative thoughts. This is just like your breathing. You breathe automatically, but you CAN choose to influence your breathing, you can hold your breath if you are going to dive deep in the water, or you can consciously “slow down” your breath if you are relaxing in meditation and prayer.

Once I realized I did in fact have “some” ability to control my own thoughts, I consciously redirected the thoughts to positive uplifting notions. I noted that I had built such a large ego over the years that the collapse of it dragged me down in a catastrophic fashion. A big ego is different from self esteem. Both were destroyed, but I learned to regain self esteem through positive affirmations and knowing that the negative thoughts are not reality. I believe having a positive self esteem is important.

"The story is always old.

The silence is always brand new.

Deep breathing gets you in touch with silence."

Overcoming Negative Thoughts

Firstly a wonderful passage from Equanimintyandpeace.

I used to think life was ONE LONG EMERGENCY. I still believe life can seriously give hardship. I still “feel” just as I always did. If I was in a war refuge camp with you eating soup made of tree bark and we had hungry crying children around us…that IS a problem. I don’t think just anything and everything painful can be “wiped away” so easily after a 30 minute meditation, or a weekend retreat in nature, or some book on quotes that does magical things, but I think we can institute choices that can make our lives easier.

Life can be a difficult battlefield of problems, but I think we have some control over the degree of suffering we subject ourselves to. Once you realize that, you can really learn to live simply and calmly and rediscover the magic you first probably saw in your youth....

It is only through conscious intervention that you can make your mind change course from automatically recycling negative thoughts. This is just like your breathing. You breathe automatically, but you CAN choose to influence your breathing, you can hold your breath if you are going to dive deep in the water, or you can consciously “slow down” your breath if you are relaxing in meditation and prayer.

Once I realized I did in fact have “some” ability to control my own thoughts, I consciously redirected the thoughts to positive uplifting notions. I noted that I had built such a large ego over the years that the collapse of it dragged me down in a catastrophic fashion. A big ego is different from self esteem. Both were destroyed, but I learned to regain self esteem through positive affirmations and knowing that the negative thoughts are not reality. I believe having a positive self esteem is important, a big ego…not so much.

Equanimintyandpeace