________________
Friends, there was no place till now in the European religions for soul, rebirth, reincarnation, which are fundamental beliefs in the works of the Jain philosophers. But there has begun now a flutter about these matters in the intellectual world. They have now started considering whether there is anything like soul. Is there a life beyond the present life? Or we are totally destroyed here with death. If that is not so, what happens to us after death.
Many of those who were subjected to deep hypnotism were questioned about the reality and eternity of the soul. They had replied in the following explicit terms, "We do not die. We live on through the ages into eternity. The voice is the instrument whereby we the greater World can make known upto you the great truths of Eternity in language form" (p. 174).
Those who talk of past births say, "If you perhaps ask us what is immortality, we unhesitatingly reply, "Eternity means cessation of limitation" ( Page 174 para 49 ).
Friends, you should know much about this subject. If you wish to know more about this, you will be highly satisfied if you read my book, "Science and Religion".
What I have to emphasise here is that the present day scientists are now veering to the talks of soul, Karma, past, birth, rebirth, which have been preached by Lord Jina. They also have now accepted the reality of the soul, its permanence and the effects of Karma on the soul. What I wish to emphasise here is that the doctrine of Karma of Lord Jina is at present receiving serious consideration.
61
