Answer

According to Jain Dharma, there is no first cause of existence and no creator or controller God operating the universe.

Jain philosophy teaches that the universe is eternal — it was never created and will never be destroyed completely. It has always existed in different forms through beginningless cycles of time.

The cosmic order functions through the natural laws of reality, especially:

• Jiva — soul/conscious beings
• Ajiva — non-soul substances such as matter, space, time, motion, and rest
• Karma — subtle matter that binds to the soul due to passions and actions
• Natural causality — every result arises from appropriate causes and conditions

Explanation

In Jainism, existence is not created from nothing. Reality is made of eternal substances called dravya. These substances undergo changes, but their basic existence is beginningless and endless.

So Jain Dharma does not ask, “Who created the universe?” Instead, it explains:

• The universe exists eternally.
• Souls are eternal.
• Matter is eternal.
• Karma operates according to natural law.
• No external ruler rewards, punishes, creates, or destroys beings.

The order of the universe is not controlled by a supreme being. It functions according to its own inherent nature. Just as fire burns by its nature and water flows by its nature, the universe operates through the nature of its substances and the law of karma.

Spiritual Understanding

This teaching gives great responsibility to every soul.

In Jain Dharma, no one else controls our bondage or liberation. Our own thoughts, passions, actions, and karmas shape our condition. When the soul is bound by attachment, anger, ego, deceit, greed, and ignorance, it remains in worldly existence. When it destroys karmas through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, it attains liberation.

The perfected souls, called Siddhas, are not creators or controllers of the universe. They are liberated beings who have completely destroyed karma and exist in infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

Takeaway

Jain Dharma teaches that existence is beginningless, the universe is self-existing, karma is the natural moral law, and each soul is responsible for its own liberation. No creator or cosmic controller is required in Jain philosophy.