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that the system originated very early and that it carries us very far back on the line of the evolution of religions. Animistic principles are however no reproach to a religion. The most modern theories, the so called " religion of science :' have a tendency to revive these oldest of opinions,
•Nor is this the only argument for its antiquity in general or for its priority to a deliberately matured religion like Buddhism. Its extreme simplicity points to the same view. It is based on a few truths and fundamental idias. It has not arisen at a time when it could be subject to that corruption of subtle religions-the hankering after dogmatic refinements. Relying on the essential moral truths, its founder eschewed the pitfalls of casuistry-ethics as a science is one matter as an integral portion of a religion another. The speculative creed of certain religious teachers and philosophers delighted in ethical problems while the simpler and more
antique Jainism saw the inefficacy of ethical Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
