Answer

According to Jainism, the universe is eternal, uncreated, and beginningless. It was not made by any god or creator. It exists on its own according to the natural laws of reality.

Explanation

In Jain philosophy, the universe is called Loka. It has a fixed structure and contains all the regions where souls, matter, time, motion, and rest exist.

Key points:

• The universe has always existed and will always exist.
• It was not created from nothing.
• It is made up of six eternal substances, called dravyas:

- Jiva — soul - Pudgala — matter - Dharma — medium of motion - Adharma — medium of rest - Akasha — space - Kala — time

• The universe has a limited shape, often described in traditional Jain texts as like a standing human figure.
• Beyond the universe is Aloka, which is empty space where nothing exists.

Spiritual Understanding

Jainism teaches that understanding the universe helps us understand our place in it. Since the universe is not controlled by a creator god, each soul is responsible for its own actions, bondage, and liberation.

This teaches:

• personal responsibility
• non-dependence on blind belief
• respect for the natural order of existence
• the importance of liberation from karma

Takeaway

In Jainism, the universe is eternal, self-existing, and governed by natural laws. It is not created by anyone, and every soul journeys within it according to karma until it attains liberation.