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 158

Religious Harmony and Fellowship of Faiths : A Jaina Perspective
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condition for the right attitude or perception. A perverse and hence defiled attitude renders it impossible to view the thing rightly just as a person wearing coloured glasses or suffering from jaundice is unable to see the true colour of objects as they are. Attachment and aversion are the two great enemies of philosophical thinking. Truth can reveal itself to an impartial thinker"13. Non-attachment, as Jainas hold, is not only essential it is imperative in the search of truth. One who is unbiased and impartial, can perceive the truth of his opponents's ideologies and faiths and thus can possess deference to them. Intense attachment unfailingly generates blind faith in religious leaders, dogmas, doctrines and rituals and consequently religious intolerance and fanaticism come into existence. The religions which lay more emphasis on faith than reason are narrower and fundamentalist. While the religions according to due importance to reason also are more conciliatory and harmonious. It is the reason or critical outlook which acts as check-post in religious faiths and rituals.
Jainism holds that the uncritical outlook and even pious attachment, towards the prophet, the path and the scripture is also an hindrance to a seeker of truth and aspirantof perfection. Attachment results in blind faith and superstition and repulsion consequences into intolerant conduct. The real bondage, as Jainas confirm, is the bondage due to attachment. A person who is in the grip of attachment cannot get rid of imperfection. Gautam, a chief disciple of Lord Mahāvira, failed to attain omniscience in the life time of Mahāvīra on account of his pious attachment towards Mahāvira. Same was the case with Ananda, the chief disciple of Lord Buddha, who could not attain arhathood in the life-time of his "Sāstā" Once Gautam asked Mahāvīra : "Why am I not able to attain the perfect knowledge, while my pupils have reached the goal. "Lord answered: "Oh, Gautam, it is your pious attachment towards me which obstructs you in getting perfect knowledge and emancipation "14. The Jainas therefore laid stress on the elimination of attachment, the root cause of bias and intolerance.
Reason - the Check-Post of Blind Faith
In Jainism right faith, one of its three 'Jewels' plays an important role in emancipation of the soul. On the contrary the blind faith, causes intolerance. Jainism therefore, does not support blind faith. Jaina thinkers