Siddhashila

Siddhashila as per the Jain cosmology

Siddhashila is an area in Jain cosmology at the apex of the universe, which is where the Jains believe people who have become Arihants, or people with infinite knowledge, go after they die and attain moksha. Such people are called siddhas after they discard their mortal body, hence the origin of the term.[1]

Siddhas

Siddha is a soul who is permanently liberated from the transmigratory cycle of birth and death. Such a soul, having realized its true self, is free from all the Karmas and embodiment. They are formless and dwell in Siddhashila with infinite bliss, infinite perception, infinite knowledge and infinite energy.
Although the Siddhas (the liberated beings) are formless and without a body, this is how the Jain temples often depict the Siddhas

The Acāranga sūtra 1.197 describes Siddhas in this way:

“ The liberated soul is not long nor small nor round nor triangular nor quadrangular nor circular; it is not black nor blue nor red nor green nor white; neither of good nor bad smell; not bitter nor pungent nor astringent nor sweet; neither rough nor soft; neither heavy nor light; neither cold nor hot; neither harsh nor smooth; it is without body, without resurrection, without contact (of matter), it is not feminine nor masculine nor neuter. The siddha perceives and knows all, yet is beyond comparison. Its essence is without form; there is no condition of the unconditioned. It is not sound, not colour, not smell, not taste, not touch or anything of that kind. Thus I say.[2] ”

Ultimately all Arihantas and Tirthankaras become Siddhas. Siddhahood is the ultimate goal of all souls. There are infinite souls who have become Siddhas and infinite more who will attain this state of liberation. According to Jainism, the Godhood is not a monopoly of some omnipotent and powerful being(s). All souls, with right perception, knowledge and conduct can achieve self-realisation and attain this state. Once achieving this state of infinite bliss and having destroyed all desires, the soul is not concerned with the worldly matters and does not interfere in the working of universe, as any activity or desire to interfere will once again result in influx of karmas and thus loss of liberation.

Jains pray to these passionless Gods not for any favors or rewards but rather pray to the qualities of the God with the objective of destroying the karmas and achieving the Godhood. This is best understood by the term vandetadgunalabhdhaye – i.e. "we pray to the attributes of such Gods to acquire such attributes".[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kuiper, Kathleen (2010). The Culture of India. Rosen Publishing Group. p. 150. ISBN 9781615301492.
  2. ↑ Jacobi (1884). Retrieved on: 25 May 2007.
  3. ↑ Nayanar (2005b), p.35 Gāthā 1.29


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