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58
The Doctrines of the Jainas
good for or bad for the citizen is to be decided by the State. What does he know about his own welfare !
The dignity of the human individual has fallen. Alas, man himself has contributed substantially to the loss of his liberty; he has allowed himself to be cajoled and pushed into the almost slavish position which now is his. He has done this for the most part not self.consciously. The starting point is traceable to his false attitude to his religion. Loss of knowledge of religion and its true principles has brought in blind belief, superstition and irreligious living. Instead of becoming a way of life man's religion has become largely ritualistic observances, gesticulations and mummery. His spiritual and secular life are two different compartments. He is exploited by the politician today because he has allowed himself to be exploited by his priest for numerous yesterdays.
A better world will not be built until a sufficient number of men and women turn away from the outer religion of rites and ceremonies to the inner religion of life. Not church-going but living by the precepts of the Sermon on the Mount constitutes true Christianity. And what is true of Christianity is equally true of every religion, including Jainism.
Time is precious; we cannot afford to neglect or to postpone the refashioning of our religious life. By "we" the human individual is meant. Popes or purohits or sadhus are not to be depended upon for religious reformation. They have their own vested interests. Priests are the opponents of the Prophets and the human individual needs Mahavira and the Tirthankaras, and their peers of
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