Key of Knowledge

SR No.: 006702
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1919
Total Pages: 1204
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE. the final truth of the Advaita Vedanta is the same as that of the Jaina Siddhanta, notwithstanding that they are opposed to each other in almost all other things. This is due to the fact that Advaitism confines itself to the point of view of the essence, totally ignoring all others, while Jainism is comprehensive and all-embracing. They both teach that the Atman and Paramatman are one ; both maintain that the essence is only one; but Jainism, more scientific and exact as it is in giving expression to the culminating thought, rightly adds, 'when looked at from the standpoint of the essence. The addition of these nine words would make the teaching of Vedanta acceptable to the world at large which at present derides it. For Brahman is not a unit, but a sum, the infinite. Vedanta would be wrong if it were to adhere to the popular sense of the word 'one'; Dualism would be false if it professed to teach a multiplicity of 'sums.' • Applying these observations to the question of the unity or multiplicity of souls, we may say that both Dualism and Adwaitism are right from their respective standpoints, but they only express partial truth. The Absolute when conceived as Existence is one ; but many when thought of in reference to the individuals through which it manifests itself. A recent work on Jainism puts the case fairly when it says :
"Here some one might choose to ridicule this theory, by observing that if Atman can become Paramatman, then it means that the Jainas believe, not in one God, but in many. In answer to this, it must be borne in mind that the Jainas are the followers not of Aikanta, but of Anekanta. Their belief is not that God is absolutely one or many.