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In Jainism, godliness is said to be the inherent quality of every soul. This quality, however, is subdued by the soul's association with karmic matter. All souls who have achieved the natural state of infinite bliss, infinite knowledge (kevala jnana), infinite power and infinite perception are regarded as God in Jainism. Jainism rejects the idea of a creator deity responsible for the manifestation, creation, or maintenance of this universe. Instead, souls (in this case, devis or devas) who have reached Heaven for their merits and deeds influence the Universe for a fixed period until they undergo reincarnation and continue the cycle of enlightenment. According to Jain doctrine, the universe and its constituents (namely, soul, matter, space, time, and principles of motion) have always existed. All constituents and actions are governed by universal natural laws and "perfect soul" (an immaterial entity that cannot create or affect a material entity like the universe).[1]
- ^ The Perfect Law Archived 20 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Jainworld.org