Jaina Gazette 1928

SR No.: 034890
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 502
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 174

RIGHT FAITH
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has dealt this point at length and the conclusion is that the root Dris has many meanings, to see, to cognise, to have faith in (Sraddhana) and only the last word is the meaning of the above root in the Jain sense. The author has discussed and avoided all the Avyapti and Ativyapti faults. When we are expounding the meaning of Samyagdarsana according to Jains we are not justified in discarding the traditional meaning handed down through scriptures unless they contradict each other. Properly it must be translanted as 'Right Faith.' But the word Faith is sometimes offensive to the so called Rationalists and Independent thinkers. Is the rationalist devoid of faith."? Can he do without the 'Laws of thought"? If Sraddhana means conviction I have no objection to the term Right conviction and who ever thinks that faith is always blind, may safely adopt this word. Conviction is subjective. Conviction with regard to a thing may differ from person to person but such is not the case with Faith. My conviction with regard to the Political future of India may not be the same as that of my friend, though both of us equally claim the possession of Right conviction. The words sight, Insight, cognition are used only to avoid the word Faith which in their eyes is identical with Blind Faith. The Jain Faith is not blind; it is not forced through the agency of any superhuman being. Even though Right Faith precedes Right knowledge, ordinary knowledge consisting of reasoning, doubting, argumentation does precede Right Faith. What is known as Right knowledge is far superior to this one. As an authority for my above statement I may quote Gatha 307 from Kattigeyanuppekkha where the author says Nani pavai Sammattam'-a learned man attains Right Faith.' Note the word 'Nani and tell me whether Jain Faith is blind. And also note the Gatha 18 of Samyasara where the author says Evam hi Jivaraya nadavoo taha ya saddahedavvo | Anucharidavvo ya puno so cheva du Mokkhakamena And in this way the Lord-Soul is to be understood (known) and so to be believed and again is to be acted upto, by him who is desirous of Salvation." Know, believe and act-this is the key of success.
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(To be continued.) Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat