Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 006901
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

Page 214

Ancient India
from the Jaina works that there were religious discussions between the Brahmans and the Jainas. The Jaina philosophy teaches that such distinctions of caste are sure to arise so long as there is in the human mind the vanity and pride of individual and family greatness. The duty of Jainism which existed side by side with Hinduism was therefore to look down upon this pride and to teach the people the true law of cause and effect. Buddha handled this question differently. In his time the Brahman priesthood was supreme. The barriers created by them were insurmountable.
The Jaina prophet Mahavira and his 23 predecessors had seen such or similar things in their times. They clearly saw the cause of this - the individual pride which became the cause of a Karma - leading the man to be born under such circumstances that he will be considered as belonging to a lower family in comparison to other people. Buddha blamed the Brahmans and their whole society. He laid the whole blame at the door of the Brahmans and ignored the real cause the individual thoughts and feelings. He wanted to smash the whole society for this one reason. It was like the mosquito and the man. He forgot the truth that by his side there were other philosophers whom it was impossible for him to vanquish. He however tried the experiment. The people crushed under the feet of Brahman priests flocked to him; and thus 600 years before Christ there was a great spectacle on the banks of the Ganges - Buddha preaching the doctrine of equality and salvation for all men - high and low. The work which Buddha did in this department was noble.
205