Three Stages of Soul

Jain Religion postulates three stages of the soul: (1) the external soul. (2) The internal soul and (3) the omniscient or liberated or supreme soul. The external soul is characterized by an aversion to the quest for truth. The internal soul is fully dedicated to the quest for truth. One who attains self-realization is a liberated soul. Supreme soul or paramatman. Lord Mahavira was a supreme soul. All those who are fully devoted to spirituality have the right to become supreme souls. Anyone who follows the spiritual practice that Mahavir preached and followed can like him become a liberated soul. This principle of attaining the status of a liberated soul transcends time, space and individuality. It is a universal principle. Truth can be ascertained in two ways: scientific appraisal and popular estimate. To know the ultimate nature of the reality of subtle truths. We use scientific appraisal. Popular estimate is used to know empirical truth. The form of religion exclusively based on scientific appraisal cannot take the place of a world religion. On the other hand a religious code of conduct based on empirical truths has the potentiality of becoming a world religion. The code of conduct comprising the vows enunciated by Mahavir is universal. That code can command wide acceptance from human beings living in any society.