________________
seat without allowing sufficient time to elapse for the aftermath of personal vibrations to die down. Such subtle points were taken into consideration by Lord Mahavir while formulating the code of conduct aimed at protecting one's celibacy, wherein immediate occupancy of the seat used earlier by a member of the opposite sex is prohibited. This example provides a direct proof of the depth of his enlightened wisdom and penetrating knowledge.
Science and spirituality - both need openness :
When such enlightened wisdom that fathomed the secrets of Nature without any scientific aid or equipment propounds something that may be at variance from modern scientific thought, does it not behove the followers of modern science to keep an open mind about it and try to establish the truth rather than jump to rash conclusions ? Our former president, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan has charged the self-styled intellectuals in these words,
In the thought and life of the mdern man selfconscious intellect, with its clear analysis and limited aims, takes the highest place and suicidal scepticism is the result; for while it accepts the evidence of the senses and the results of judgement and inference, it rejects as supurious and subjective the deeper intuitions which discursive reason must take for granted. Faith in conceptual reason is the logical counterpart of the egoism
26
On the other hand, the believers in scriptural authority also should not indulge in argument for argument's sake against some new idea proposed by science that may not be in agreement with one's scripturally-based belief without first going into its scientific details. Such hasty attitude does not help in generating any faith or goodwill in the opposite camp of
63
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org