Page Text
________________
THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRES3 117 the constitution of my personality (Jiva), and which it is my highest purpose in this life to ward off (Samvara), and to completely get rid of. (Nirjara) in order that I may attain to the pristine glory of my real Being of Omniscience, Power and Bliss (Moksha): that every individual in the world has a right to live, and therefore we should behave with others just in the same way of love and non-injury as we wish them to do to us ; that meat-eating is not proper to nian, and should not be allowed in cultured society : that we cannot achieve final satisfaction in worldly enjoyments, and therefore should turn our attention from their pursuits to achieving the real and permanent Bliss of Nirvana. These are some of the articles of my faith, which I share with Jainism, together with others, which in no way contradict but complete them to form a system of my religion and philosophy.
I really appreciate your practice of inviting a Non-Jaina to preside over this function ; not because it has given me a chance to be here, but because it is the best way of making other people know of your noble religion And the more people come to know of your religion and philosophy, the more they will love and admire them, for to know Truth is to love it; and I have no hesitation in saying that Jainism, it rightly understood, stands for much that is true. Religious animosity which has prevailed so much in the world and which still unfortunately prevails in our country will cease only when our countrymen will open the windows of their hearts to receive light from all directions and study other religions and views of life than in which they are born, and which they very often wrongly believe to be superior to others. The attitude of Anekanta-vada and Syad-vada, which urges us to be impartial in the investigation of truth, is what we need most at the present time in all religions and sects. And I hope the Jainas will, by their practical example, teach tolerance to those who need it.
I do not propose to discuss here the antiquity and originality of your religion, or to give a detailed and elaborate survey of its doctrines, or to expound and justify them philosophically partly because there is not sufficient time at my disposal, and partly Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
| SR No. | 034889 |
| Book Title | Jaina Gazette 1927 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | J L Jaini, Ajitprasad |
| Publisher | Jaina Gazettee Office |
| Publication Year | 1927 |
| Total Pages | 568 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 47 MB |