Jain cosmology is the Jain understanding of the universe, its structure, and the way all souls exist within it.

Main idea

According to Jainism, the universe has no creator God. It is eternal, beginningless and endless, and it operates through its own natural laws.

The universe in Jainism

The cosmos is divided into three main parts:

• Urdhva Loka – the upper world, where celestial beings and liberated souls exist
• Madhya Loka – the middle world, where humans, animals, plants, and many beings live
• Adho Loka – the lower world, where hellish beings reside

Key features

• The universe is shaped like a standing human form in Jain texts.
• It contains countless souls and infinite matter.
• Souls wander through different births due to karma.
• The goal of Jain spiritual life is to stop karma and attain moksha, liberation.
• Liberated souls go to the top of the universe, called Siddha Shila, and remain there in pure consciousness forever.

Important Jain belief

Jain cosmology is closely tied to karma theory:

• Soul becomes bound by karma because of passions and actions.
• Through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, the soul becomes free.

In short, Jain cosmology explains where beings exist, how the universe is arranged, and how the soul moves toward liberation.