Yes, Jainism does say that destiny (Niyati) exists. At the same time, Jainism lays emphasis on efforts (Purushartha).
According to Jainism, there are five factors, together called Samavay, that are responsible for any event to take place in the universe.
These, in brief, are:
1. काल (Time) – Time gives sequence to whatever happens. You do not get fruits immediately after sowing the seeds. It takes certain amount of time.
2. स्वभाव (Own nature) – The seeds of lemon will not produce mango tree. A fish lives in water or a bird flies because of their own nature.
3. नियति (Destiny or Fate) – Whatever is destined will take place. Neither time nor own nature or any efforts can stop that. We cannot stop the ageing process or save someone from inevitable death.
4. कर्म – Everyone has to face the consequences of karma. No power can save you from the effects of past karma.
5. पुरुषार्थ (Efforts) - Nothing works without efforts. A seed cannot grow into a tree on its own unless you make efforts to sow the seed and water the plant/tree.
All the five factors work simultaneously with varying degree of weightage/importance.
Of the five factors, we have control only on Purushartha; the other four are beyond our control. That is why Jainism considers Purushartha as the most important factor and lays emphasis on it.
Even destiny cannot happen without efforts. Bhagwan Mahavira was destined to be a Tirthankara, but he had to make efforts in the form of severe penance, meditation etc. for it. He could not have shed his karma and attain keval-gyan without efforts.
Moreover, Niyati is only a small part of what all happens in our life. A major part of our life (failure or success) depends on Purushartha.
Purushartha (efforts) is, thus, the most important factor. You cannot achieve anything without Purushartha.
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Why do Jains celebrate next day of Deepavali as a starting of New Year ?
Read the thread.
This tradition goes back to the times of Shree Aadinath. As per existing evidences, this tradition first started in Jains. We Jains, named the Samvatsara since the Nirvana of Shree Aadinath.
As on this day of Shree Aadinath attaining Nirvana, his Samavasarana (the three-layered Dev-made building where all Tirthankars give sermons) was dissolved. The next day is called Samvatsara or starting of an Era of the spiritual kingdom of him after he attained Nirvana.
Diwali is one of the most popular festivals in india. For Jains it is a very important occasion. It is a festival of glory and achievement of Bhagwan Mahavira who attained nirvana on this day.
A brief history of diwali in jainism:
#Diwali was known as Deepalika- the Festival of Lights. Deepak is a symbol of light of abolishing the darkness of ignorance.
Why does Jainism believe that Gods or Tirthankaras are indifferent to us and neither punish nor reward us, and don't love us ?
Why are they God then ?
For know the answer, read the below thread.
The concept of God in Jainism is different from most other religions. Jainism does not believe in an all-powerful creator God that punishes or rewards living-beings and loves those who worship Him.
In Jainism, God is one who has ended the cycle of birth and death. Thus, all liberated souls are regarded as God. Tirthankaras are also liberated souls. They are specifically revered because they show us the path to liberation.
Despite being one of the oldest religions of the world, why does Jainism have so few followers ?
Read the entire thread.
Probably because Jainism is not for the masses. Sorry, it might sound rude, but I will try and explain as under:
Jainism is a stream that a person enters only when he has achieved a certain degree of maturity in his thought processes, not earlier.
Jain philosophy digs deep into human psychology and advocates that a person on his way to मोक्ष (मोक्ष) passes through fourteen phase of mental and emotional development (14 गुणस्थानक). At each stage, a person exhibits a psyche, that is unique to that state itself.
According to Jainism, our soul has been transmigrating through the painful cycle of birth and death since time immemorial. In the innumerable lives that we have lived, we have been born in every inch of space of the universe and....
... And have had all type of relations (mother, father, son, daughter, wife, husband etc.) with each and every soul.
‘Sansar Bhavana’ refers to contemplation of this sorrowful transmigration of the soul in the four gatis namely,humans, tiryanch (animals, birds etc.)...