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 50

34
JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
of soul of ancestors indicate Jainism to have adopted these primitive customs of tribes.
During last two centuries, the European scholars carried out research work on Indian philosophy and culture in accordance with their stand points, with their way of thinking and their cultural background; and consequently there was quite a bit of controversy in their finding, interpretations and knowledge so assimilated; and such history of Indian culture was written incompletely and unsystematically. For example, the primary books of history were written quoting that Jainism was founded by MahāvīraR and a few books indicated Pārśvanatha'. A few or more books, even lately, in year 2000, written by eminent scholars quote Jainism as founded by Mahāvīra. Even today, some publications depict that Jainism is a revolt against Vedic culture. We can see several books written by learned scholars quoting Jainism also as an atheistic religion having no God in it. Many of the publications explain that the Jainism is the oldest, independent and pre-Vedic and a noble religion."
10
Because of very little exposure of Jainism to the outside world and due to not enough interest shown in it by other scholars of philosophy coupled with the Jaina societies offered no cooperation to the scholars to study their sacred books and culture, the history of Jainism, prior to Mahāvīra remained unexplored, for quite some time. Other reasons being that Jaina community mostly engaged in business, trading and banking did not produce enough scholars of its own to interact with the European scholars. Hence many a non-Jaina Pandits, scholars, Indian as well as European may be heard passing cursorily remarks like; Jainism is an insignificant, little known or an
8 Historical Facts of Jainism", P- iv
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Chitralekha Singh/Prem Nath, "The great Religion of world', P - 173
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Dr. Rafiq Zakaria, "Discovery of God', Bombay, 2000,P - 44/45
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Jain Gazette, 1914, page - 35