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FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN
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Every human being wishes that "He is blessed with happiness, peace and bliss in life." Irrespective of his faith in religion, god or soul, everyone desires happiness and peace be he an atheist or a theist However, very few people understand that the fountainhead of happiness and peace is spirituality and that of spirituality is soul The simplest definition of spirituality (adhyatma) is—any activity or indulgence aimed at soul is spirituality THE PURPOSE OF RELIGIOUS SCRIPTURES
The purpose of religious scriptures is to propagate soul; to analyze and elaborate the existence of soul and to infuse every aspirant with the faith and belief in soul. All the religious texts since ancient times have been written and are studied and taught for this single purpose.
This 'Rai-paseniya Sutra' has also been written for this very purpose, to propagate soul and to inspire faith and belief for soul in every aspira This scripture is written in a unique style Religion and philosophy are believed to be drab and dry subjects difficult to understand Therefore, most of the people avoid getting involved in discussion on these subjects These people are more interested in stories and fiction
This Sutra caters to the needs and interest of the masses The unique style of this Sutra presents the serious, complex and drab topics of soul, religion and spirituality in so simple, interesting and attractive style that the reader or listener gets captivated and wants more THE CENTRAL CHARACTERS
There are two central characters in this book--the agnostic ruler of Shvetambika city, kırg Pradeshi and Shraman Keshi Kumar, a follower of Bhagavan Parshvanath and endowed with four kinds of knowledge. There is a discussion between these two regarding the existence of soul"Body and soul are separate entities or one ?" King Pradeshi presents on the basis of his logic and experience that soul and body are one. Shraman Keshi Kumar, with the help of interesting examples and irrefutable logic, refutes his arguments and establishes the identity of soul as an entity (chetan) independent of the body. Supported by experience, his arguments are so logical and irrefutable that in the end the extremely
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