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The foremost peculiarity of Jainism is that it claims no non-human source. Its tenets are based on the knowledge of the Victors, who have attained perfection by their own efforts in this very universe. According to Jainism it is the human soul alone which can reach the highest degree of purification. All souls are possessed of fulness and perfection, Jainism is totally against offering devotion to any being, human or divine, in the hope of gaining bliss immortality or perfection through the mercy of that being. The full development of the soul cannot be gained through outside aid. Lord Mahavira emphatically declared "Man, thou art thine own friend, why wishest thou for a friend beyond thyself ?"15 One has to struggle with one's own enemies, having faith in one's own strength. The true victor is expected to defeat his passions and sense cravings and not his fellow beings.
Fight with this, your own body; why should you fight with anything else ?”'16
Fight with yourself. Why fight with exte15 Acharanga Sutra 116. 16 Sutrakritanga, 154,
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
