Jain Theism

SR No.: 006509
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemant Shah
Publisher: Hemant Shah
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 218
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Religion
File Size: 10 MB

Page 160

CHAPTER - 7 SCRIPTURAL AND OTHER ARGUMENTS
FOR THEISM IN JAINISM 7.1. Introductory Remark
The nature of reality, its relativistic character and the nature of soul were sufficient to lead to a position where absolute becomes inevitable. But then in establishing absolute, against the common notion of non-absolute, like one swimming against the current, I feel what is discussed logically or rationally, in the previous chapters is not enough. In order to present Jainism not as atheistic but theistic, it is quite necessary that the cause is made more sound with the help of more supporting arguments. When we think of still more arguments, and arguments that are logically sound and philosophically meaningful, naturally, we would search for testimonial arguments. Jainism, in fact like Nyāy-Vaiśesika and other systems of Indian philosophy, accepts testimony (Sabda Pramāņa) as a source of valid knowledge, The testimonial arguments, generally, falls under two groups : scriptural and personal. Scriptural arguments, form a group of such arguments which are quoted from the scriptures where the thesis is supported. But then, like every system, in Jainism we have the writers of such works who were no ordinary persons but great thinkers and seers. What they have written and said is the result of their own realization and bears a mark of authenticity. In short we have arguments taken from the scriptures as well as arguments supported by great philosophers and seers in their individual capacity.
When we go to scriptural and personal arguments, it would be quite in fitness to give a brief picture of Jain literature that contains its scriptures as well as such names that have been acclaimed and accepted as authority. So let us have a glance over the Jain scriptures and other literature. 7.2 Jain Literature
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan has rightly said, “The faith was preserved in .man's mind, as usual. The knowledge of the scriptures was slowly decaying, till in the fourth century B. C. the need for fixing the canon