Jaina Gazette 1927

SR No.: 034889
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

Page 79

THE JAINA GAZETTE
Admitting that knowledge is power, how can we sensibly afford to spurn it? We seem to be oblivious of the fact that ignorance marks us out as powerless in the world competition brought in at our doors by modern civilization. If we continue to drift, the grim end cannot be doubted for a moment. The keener the struggle for existence, the stronger efforts it will require for survival. Under existing conditions, the ignorant, that is the weak, are being fast driven on the road to speedy extinction. Let us remember that many an ancient people—Red Indians, Maoris, Zulus and the like—who were steeped in ignorance were unable to stand the shock and were wiped out of existence by the blast of western civilization. A similar sorry fate stares us in the face. It could be averted by action alone-intense action on progressive lines without dread delays.
It is a matter of common experience that in dealing with learned people, our weaknesses are strongly brought home to our minds. Everyday intercourse with our British rulers should serve to open our eyes to the wonderful development of their arts and sciences, their steady character and patriotism, their admirable sportsmanship, enterprise and organization. In order to correctly appreciate the virtues of Western civilization we require a sound education. Unless we truly realise our failings, it would be impossible to overcome them, Change is the eternal law of life. Stagnation is death and we have been practically stagnating. Some of our religious wiseacres have been all along trying to lull us into a sense of superiority and security which is as unreal as ridiculous. Our infatuated self complacency is merely the product of our ignorance and overweening conceit. The masses in their present state of childish understanding cannot possibly realise the tremendous superiority which the rest of the world and more particularly the western nations, have attained in the realms of art, science, industry and commerce. The West and all that it standa for, is a great accomplished fact. We dare not gingerly repudiate it: nor have we any need to shrink from its contact like senseless
craven. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat