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 156

Religious Harmony and Fellowship of Faiths : A Jaina Perspective
127
dealing those points accordingly. True Meaning of Religion
So for as the leading causes responsible for the growth of fundamentalism and intolerant outlook are concerned, in my humble opinion, the lack of the true knowledge and understanding of the real nature and purpose of religion is prime. By religion generally we mean to have some uncritical beliefs in supernatural powers and performance of certain rituals as prescribed in our religious texts, but it is not the true and whole purpose of religion. Haribhadra in his work 'Sambodha Prakarana' (1/1) clearly remarks that the people talk about the path i.e. religion but they do not know that what is the path or religion in its true sense. In the famous Jaina text, Kārtikeyānuprekśā(478), dharma(religion) is defined as the real nature of the things. If it is so, then question arises what is the real nature of human being? In a Jaina text known as Bhagavati Sūtra (1/ 9), it is clearly mentioned that the nature and ultimate end of the soul is equanimity. Lord Mahāvīra has given two definitions of religion. In Ācāränga Sūtra(1/8/4) he says "worthy people preach that the religion is mental equanimity" Equanimity is considered as the core or essence of religion, because it is the real nature or essence of all the living beings, including human beings also. Equanimity is the state in wihich consciousness is completely free from constant flickering, excitements and emotional disorders and mind becomes pacific. It is the core of religion. Haribhadra says whether a person is a Svetāmbara or a Digambara or a Bauddha or belongs to any other religion, whosoever attains equanimity of mind, will attain the liberation (Sambodha Prakarana, 1/2).
Thus, the attainment as equanimity or relaxation from tensions is the essence of religions. Secondly, when we talk of social or behavioural aspect of religion, it is nothing but the observance of non-violence. In Ācārānga, (1/4/1) Lord Mahāvira propounds, "The worthy man of the past, present and the future will say thus, speak thus, declare thus, explain thus, all breathing, existing, living and sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented" This is the pure, eternal and unchangeable law or the tenet of religion.
Ācārya Haribhadra maintains that performance of rituals is only the