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TRADITION AND INTRODUTION
PART I : 5
All religions and all systems of Metaphysics and Ethics are attem
deal with various aspects of the above two questions. In the following pages, an attempt has been made in an introductory way to give the answer which Lord Mahavir has given.
The question “Who am I ?” may be split up into two aspects : (1) theological and (2) metaphysical. Theological aspect deals with the relationship of the Ego to God while metaphysics deals with the relationship between the Soul and Non-Soul, or say between MAN and universe. The question “What is the best mode of living ?" may be split up also into two aspects: (1) ethical and (2) ritual. The problem of ethics is the problem of man's conduct in society. The Jains have a distinct ideal, an ideal of freedom from bondage, which can be achieved by voluntrary efforts, both intellectual and moral. It is not an ethics of sensitivity where man sells himself to nature but flowing from their metaphysics, it is essentially an Ethics of self-realisation through self-regulation.
Let us strive to be true to ourselves and to the divine tradition of Bhagwan Mahavir by living a life in conformity with His teachings of right knowledge and right conduct.
« JAY MAHAVIR %
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