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 39

- The Jaina Philosophy atma, karma and reincarnation from the point of view of each of those three faiths. In the introduction to his article 'Essential Philosophy of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism', he draws attention to a 'madhubindu picture' which he had seen in an upashraya when he was eight-year-old and which represents man's quest for desires. Later, he discusses the six systems of Hinduism in a very lucid, easy-to understand style. 'The True Laws of Life' is about the divergence between oriental and occidental ways of life. He dwells upon four basic principles of maitri (friendship), karuna (compassion), upeksha (being ignored) and mudita (being happy) and these four explain the relationship between body and soul. The east and the west both pursue happiness but the east relates the idea of happiness to the soul and which is, therefore, spiritual, while the west relates it to the body and which is material or physical.
Virchand Gandhi, for the first time, made the western world aware of Jaina doctrine of Karma. According to western scholar of Jainism, and especially of Jaina doctrine of Karma, V. Glasenapp himself had admitted that the lectures of Virchand Gandhi had shed new light on the doctrine, and were an authoritative source of enlightenment. This German Scholar wrote his doctorate dissertation on the theory of karma in Jaina religion. It is very unfortunate that not many knew about Gandhi's scholarship or profound knowledge about principles of Jainism and those interested in Indian ethics too did not seriously study the principles he enunciated and interpreted. He was equally at home in the Vedic, Buddhisth and Jaina philosophy. He knew and understood the finer nuances of karma as they underwent changes during different times and the volume 'Karma Philosophy is a testimony to his profound study of the subject. In the fourteenth chapter "Karma', he has discussed the Jaina point of view about karma.
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