Answer

No. Jains do not follow the Garuda Purana as a Jain scripture.

In Jain Dharma, the practice of cremating the body is followed as a traditional Jain funeral practice, but it is not based on Garuda Purana. Jainism has its own scriptures, philosophy, and rituals.

Explanation

In Jain understanding:

• The body is considered temporary and non-self.
• The soul is separate from the body.
• After death, the soul immediately moves according to its karmas.
• The dead body has no spiritual power or ownership left after the soul departs.

Therefore, cremation is mainly a respectful and practical way to dispose of the body, not a ritual for helping the soul travel after death in the way described in some Hindu texts.

Jains generally do not believe that rituals performed after death can change the soul’s next birth. The soul’s next state is determined by its own karmas.

Does Jainism accept Garuda Purana?

No. Garuda Purana belongs to Hindu tradition. It is not accepted as an authoritative Jain Agam or Jain scripture.

Jains may share some outer cultural practices with surrounding Hindu society, such as cremation, but the belief behind the practice is different.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, death reminds us of:

• Anitya bhavana — the body and worldly relations are impermanent.
• Atma bhavana — the soul is distinct from the body.
• Karma siddhant — each soul experiences the result of its own karmas.
• Samata — remaining peaceful and detached even in sorrow.

Takeaway

Jains do cremate the body traditionally, but not because of Garuda Purana. Jain Dharma does not follow Garuda Purana; it follows Jain scriptures and the Jain understanding that the soul’s journey depends on its own karma, not on post-death rites.