Nandanvana

SR No.: 006597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 592
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 30

(10) : Nandanavana
Qualified Religion: Practical Religion
Different religions of the world are identified by their specific names. Their number has led to complexity for human beings. They represent different systems with a common object of human welfare. They have developed at different places and times. A majority of them are named after their propounder. However, there are others, which are named on the basis of their specificities and objectives. The east has been worshipper of qualities. The current age requires quality-based religions. These should be cultivated and practiced at individual and social level. On this score, too, Jainism is an ideal religion. It aims at winning over the inner and outer enemies. Moreover, it also has a lesser feeling of supremacy and inertial trend in comparison to individual-qualified religions. When the term ‘religion' is qualified with a prefix, it takes the shape of a group, community, séct, or an institution. It turns into a way of practice and thinking at things rather than being ideal. The ideal is always boundary-less while the real or practical has boundaries and controls. It cultivates an age of independent existence. The real religion nurtures directly or indirectly some innate desires and tendencies such as ambition, identity, and ego, l-ism etc. In contrast, the unqualified religion teaches to subdue or zero these tendencies. The practical form indicates the path to control these trends rather than eliminate them altogether. That is why it involves devotion, compassion, charity, daily essentials, and sacred activities. This serves as a ladder towards ideal religion. At present, the qualified religions may be called practical religions. It is with respect to these religions that it is said that overall religiosity is increasing in the world, which can be verified from the following observed facts?": 1. The increase in human population in geometrical progression (in
contrast to the concept of rarity of human destiny), thus, physique
making karma getting better. 2. The continuous increase in longevity, which is proportional to
sacredness, and, thus, longevity determining karma seems to be
improving. 3. Increase in physical prosperity, comforts, and wealth, all
proportional to sacredness; thus pleasure-producing karma improving