Jain Darshan aur Sanskruti Parishad

SR No.: 010092
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Banthia
Publisher: Mohanlal Banthiya
Publication Year: 1964
Total Pages: 263
Language: Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 9 MB

Page 236

[ 33 ] abstained from are himsa (injury to life), untruthfulness, stealing or misappropriatiog other person's property, sexual indulgence, and limitless desire for the acquisition of possessions. And the corresponding five merits to be cultivated are ahimsa, truthfulness, honesty, celibacy and possessionlessness. The ten-fold dnarma consists in forgiveness, humility, simplicity, truthfulness, cleanliness, self-control, penance, charity; non-covetousness, and celbacy.
An important feature of the Jain philosophy is its doctrine of Syâdvada or Anekantavada according to which it is impossible for a person to have absolute iacontrovertible knowledge of reality. He can know it only from his own perspective or point of view and therefore must recognise that it is not the whole truth. When one realises that reality has many aspects not all of which are known to him, he is apt to grow tolerant of other people's point of view. Two seemingly contrary statements may be found to be both true, if we take the trouble of finding out the two points of view from wbich the statements were made. This Syadvada of the Jains has not only made them tolerant of other religions and philosophies, it also tends to make them habitually tolerant in their general attitude towards their fellow beings.
Thus pragmatic humanism, a practical ethical code, spiritual aspiration, equality and fraternity of all souls, an elaborate and scientific doctrine of Karma, tolerance outlook, optimism, and Ahimsa aiming at peaceful co-existence of all living beings, are the chief characteristics of Jainism which is so close to Buddhism in many respects as no other religious system is.
The Jains of India usually possess a considerable knowledge about Buddhism, its doctrines, its history and its culture. But the Buddists, who mostly inhabit countries outside India, are generally ignorant about what is Jainism, perhaps most of them do not know of its existence even. This brief comparative study of these two almost sister creeds, it is hoped, may arouse an interest in their followers to know more of each other and to establish a better understanding between them.