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* The Jaina Philosophy The truth is that different professions constituted different castes. The Brahman devoted to prayer and the science of theology was considered to be the highest. As you examine the ritualism of the Brahmans, the Brahmana portion of the Vedas, you find express commands for sacrificing domestic and wild animals. Among these victims there is one which recurs with an ominous frequency viz man. Not only are there traces of human sacrifice preserved in the legends as well as in the symbolism of ritual but this sacrifice is expressly mentioned and formally prescribed.
All the great sacrifices as a rule exact one or more human victims and one of them is quite naively called the narameda i.e. the sacrifice of man. The texts speak differently in regard to these rights. At one time they represent them as fallen absolutely; but they maintain them as a rule and protest against their abolition; at another time they conceive of them as purely symbolic acts; while at another they simply speak of them as usages in full force. There were however other philosophers living along side of these sacrificers and their doctrines had considerable influence with views of the Brahmins. Among the Brahmins themselves there were frequent schisms. These heretic philosophers being under the sway of Brahman priesthood had to accept, though nominally, the authority of the Vedas. They therefore maintained that although for good worldly rewards, you have to follow the sacrificial system of the Vedas; it does not help at all a man whose sole object is spiritual bliss.
Jainism was existing and preaching its doctrines side by side. It had witnessed from times immemorial the various divisions of the Hindu society and loudly proclaimed that one who prided himself as belonging to a high family should invariably enter into lower existence in his next incarnation. Its spiritual philosophy and system of logic was too deep for common people, but it had its own system of ethics for the masses and those who understood this philosophy did join the sect. On several occasions we find
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| SR No. | 006901 |
| Book Title | Jaina Philosophy |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai |
| Publisher | World Jain Confederation |
| Publication Year | 2009 |
| Total Pages | 298 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 5 MB |