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CHAPTER 1
JAINISM
Jainism claims to be a Science. It was founded by MAN; properly qualified MEN have been confirming and re-confirming its doctrine. Put in a nutshell, its teaching is only this: man is not only a bundle, of flesh and blood (matter), he is also a soul. In reality, the soul is the man himself, the body is only a prison in which the soul is embodied. All living beings are souls. Souls are immortal. They are composed of a simple substance, which is not matter; but which is found to exist in association with matter. Matter's association is exceedingly harmful for the soul. Thereby it is deprived of its natural attributes in a greater or less degree. Its natural attributes include immortality, omniscience, or unlimited knowledge, and bliss. If the soul were set free from the clutches of matter it would enjoy all its natural perfections, and as this will only be attained after the destruction of the causes of the coming together of spirit (that is to say, the soulsubstance) and matter, the latter will never be able to assail it again. Freed Souls are, thus, set free to enjoy Their attributes and Perfections for ever. Very many men have already attained to liberation in the past. They are now residing at the topmost part of the universe, free from the worldly afflictions and the cravings and perplexities of the flesh. They are termed
