How does Jainism see Earth as a planet?
In Jainism, Earth is seen as one part of the vast universe, not as the only world.
A simple way to understand it:
- The universe in Jainism is eternal and has no creator.
- It is divided into Urdhva Loka (upper world), Madhya Loka (middle world), and Adho Loka (lower world).
- The world we live in, including Earth, is part of the Madhya Loka.
- Earth is considered one of the many places where souls can take birth and live their karmic lives.
Jain cosmology describes many lands, continents, oceans, heavens, and hells. So Earth is not treated as a unique or central planet, but as one small region within an infinite, orderly cosmos.
From the Jain view, what is most important is not the planet itself, but the soul living on it and its journey toward liberation through ahimsa, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.