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 92

RELIGION AND COMPARATIVE RELIGION 57
ral insight into the nature of the soul, and to explain why it is deprived of its natural Divinity, and how that Supreme status can be attained. Now, I ought to state that the Jaina teaching is not confined to what may be termed a metaphysical speculation about the things unseen. It is actually grounded, as all scientific knowledge always is, on the practical experience of a very large body of men, who have at various times in the past been benefited by it. The Tirthamkaras, amongst others, are the souls that first benefited themselves by the teaching, and then, after attaining to fullness and perfection with its aid, taught the doctrine to others. Every statement of the Jaina System, thus, is actually founded upon the practical experience of men who knew what they were talking about. This is the reason why theory and practice agree so marvellously in the Jaina Faith, and go hand in hand, so to speak. It is interesting to know that the Jainas maintain and have always maintained that wherever there is a fact it must be capable of a scientific treatment and explanation, and that what is not thus capable of a scientific treatment is really not a fact but a fiction of some kind composed by incompetent men.
Jainas further maintain that the real basis of religious instruction in all religions is the scientific teaching of Men who attained the Perfection of Gods, namely, of the Tirthamkaras, but it was preserved originally in two different ways, namely, in plain language which could be understood by every body, and in a pictorial poetical script, which needed the interpretation of a picture or pictogram to disclose its secret sense. This latter script was the outcome of poetical fervour, and on account of its manifold attractions soon became very popular with the generality of men. The Hindus were the first in the field of metaphorical thought. The Parsis of Iran, too, adopted the flowery style; then came the Jews, the Egyptians, the Chinese and others including Christianity. The Mahomedans came last of all, a little over thirteen hundred years ago.
Unfortunately, poetic genius failed to perceive the evil consequences that were sure to ensue from the allegorical garb. It went on allegorizing doctrines the spiritual science regardless of consequences,
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