Answer

In Jainism, there is no specific traditional concept called a “black hole” as understood in modern astronomy.

Jain scriptures describe the universe through Jain cosmology, including:

• Lokākāśa — the inhabited universe where souls, matter, motion, rest, space, and time exist
• Alokākāśa — infinite empty space beyond the universe
• Three worlds — upper world, middle world, and lower world
• Matter — called pudgala, which can combine, separate, transform, and take many forms

A modern black hole may be understood, from a Jain philosophical viewpoint, as a physical formation made of pudgala, but Jain tradition does not give a separate spiritual or scriptural doctrine about black holes.

Explanation

According to Jain Dharma, the universe is eternal. It was not created by a God and will not be destroyed completely. Matter, space, time, souls, motion, and rest are eternal substances.

So if modern science describes a black hole as an extremely dense astronomical object with strong gravitational force, Jainism would generally classify it under ajīva, non-living substance, specifically pudgala dravya, material substance.

However, Jain scriptures do not explain black holes in the scientific terms used today.

Spiritual Understanding

For Jain Dharma, the main spiritual focus is not on black holes or outer-space objects, but on understanding:

• the soul
• karma
• non-violence
• right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct
• liberation from birth and death

The vastness of the universe reminds us of the smallness of worldly attachment and the importance of purifying the soul.

Takeaway

Jainism does not have a direct teaching on “black holes.” If understood through Jain philosophy, a black hole would be part of the material universe, made of pudgala, and not a spiritual entity.