Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

Page 133

Jainism in a Global Perspective
ingenuity for more and more creature comforts, but also to grasp the divine spirit within us and circulating in the cosmic universe - what all religions call 'godliness'.
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"We do not ask for what useful purpose the birds do sing, for song is their pleasure since they were created for singing. Similarly, we ought not to ask why the human mind troubles to fathom the secrets of the heavens - The diversity of the phenomenon of nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the havens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.'
Scientists have established that when human beings first evolved on Earth, it was already 4.6 billion years old. But humans came as a very vital element. Our intelligence and technological prowess enabled us to harness the nature in a wide variety of ingenious and successful ways.
With such power at our command, why should the humankind become ignorant or complascent in the realm of the spiritual and the cosmic phenomenon - with which it has incessantly struggled with tremendous success and elan. If humans can reach the moon - it is not to be seen only as a material achievement of an earthly being. Rather it is the achievement of humans in the wonderland of cosmic universe which lands constant strength, power and inspiration to their souls. Spiritual prosperity is in the backdrop of the total cosmic scenario and not in the backyard of your house, corner of your street or the doors of a temple or a church.
Indian religions particularly Jainism believe in reincarnation and the ongoing cycle of birth and death on this Earth. That provides a measure of continuous existence in which the binding factor is the 'soul' which the body in varying forms of existence such as an insect, animal or human perishes.
Immortality of the soul is the spiritual inspiration for any given existence on earth at any point of time or form, in any condition of material prosperity or poverty. That is why one finds a tremendous serenity on the faces of the poorest of the poor, and tension lives on the faces of the riches of the rich.