Human Nature in Jainism

April 21, 2015 · updated February 15, 2022

In Jainism, the soul is uncreated, eternal and has infinite power and knowledge. It therefore has the inherent potential of divinity (that is, perfectly omnipotent, omniscient and free; not a god). By ridding oneself of the karma that obstructs the soul, one can achieve this liberation (moksa).

While souls are the same in all forms, from clay to ant to elephant to human, the human form affords the only opportunity to achieve liberation.