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INTRODUCTION
thought. This is naturally the main feature of a science !
Religion, then, is a science, and originated amongst the Aryans. Amongst the Aryans, it originated with the Jains; not with the nonJaina Aryans. There are non-Jaina Aryans, too, but it did not have its origin with them. They, too, are entangled in the superstition of creative godhood, and pray to a world-manager for their material and spiritual wants! They, too, make no claim that religion was founded by man. Divine revelation, rather than man's discourse, is claimed by them as the source of their creeds! Surely, there is no feature of scientific thought presented in all this. Who founded religion? Was he a man or some non-human being, who descended from heaven? What did he teach (in a scientific way)? Did any one benefit by his teaching, and become like him in all respects ? are questions which find no satisfactory answer outside Jainism, whether amongst the Aryans or the other races of men.
In Jainism alone will the seeker find a complete answer to all the above questions. Reli. gion is founded by Man. It is a perfect science. There is no creator of the world; and no one to grant the prayers of humanity! By following Religion man may become in all respects