Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

SR No.: 006918
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 358
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 29

INTRODUCTION
15
Jesus!!. These remarks have hurt the feelings of several Jaina scholars and they have refuted her statement."
Max Weber, a Western scholar, turning a blind eye to Mrs. Stevenson's undisguised prejudices, found it possible to endorse and repeated, “The heart of Jainism is empty”. Of course these statements provoked much opposition in India in Jaina community and Mr. J. L. Jaini took Mrs. Stevenson to task for her pretensions to preach Jainas the value of love and brotherhood. *
Also, Dr. John Murphy, professor of Manchester University said “Jaina teachers argue strongly against the monotheistic tendencies in some of the sects of Brahmanism, and attack the belief in one eternal being, the creator of the world.”43 The above said remark made by Dr. John Murphy and another by Dr. Rafiq Zakaria that Jaina revolted against Hinduism, and similar statements made by several other scholars are refutable; Jainism is apriori religion of India, long before Aryans brought with them Vedic (Brāhmanic) religion in India. Brahmins indulged in karmakāņda or sacrifice attacked Jaina teachers and scholars who were opposing animal killing, and who were in favour of casteless society. And hence Brāhmanic teachers, philosophers, have been calling Jaina religion, a nāstika (atheistic) and the same tune have been picked up by the scholars around the world, especially in Western world.
A few more misconceptions and baseless attacks, made by Lala Lajpat Rai in his book “History of India" are enumerated as follows: 1. The 24thTīrthankara founded a new religion 2. Jainism openly deny the existence of God 3. Jainism had its origin side by side to Buddhism 4. It is cowardice to be a Jaina
4 The Heart of Jainism, P.5 “Dr. Padmanabh Jaini, “Collected papers on Jaina Studies”, Delhi,
2000,P-33 Dr. John Murphy, “The Origins and History of Religions”, Manchester University, 1949, P-447