Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 6

SR No.: 522605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: L C Jain
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur
Publication Year: 1988
Total Pages: 312
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin, & India
File Size: 5 MB

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Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin No. 6
Sacredness was also attached to religion to escape from one's own ignorance. If you do not know you may well leave or assign it to the superpower which itself is unknown and is a matter of speculation. The unknown superpower was invested with the power of creating the universe. He was considered to be the suprerne judge deciding the destinies of everyone. The man was not held responsible for even his own actions and deeds. The society at a large was under complete depression. They were deprived of love for life and confidence in one's own capability.
Mahāvira and Buddha came forward to break the misconception and declared that the man was the architect of his own destiny. His life is precious. Manhood itself is the best creation of natur should have confidence in his own capacity to develop himself, and should proceed on the way of true religion that is the way of life. That is the only way of progress. That is the path of the development. The suffering of the people at a large can be removed by building a true man who is fully awakened.
The terminology adopted in Buddhism and in Jainism is important for understanding the true spirit of the two great Šramaņa Traditions. Arhat the worshipful, Jina the conqueror of self, Buddha the enlighted one, Tirtharkara the path maker are some of the words which are commonly used for both the great men. Samvat a self-restraint, apramáda vilgilance or awareness, dhyana, contemplation, ta pa, austerity, sammadstthi, right cognition, nivvāna, liberation are some of the common words used in Buddhist and Jaina Philosophies. Maitri, benevolence towards all living beings, karună, compassion and sympathy, promoda, joy at the sight of the virtuous, madhyastha tolerence, vaiyavrtya respectful service, etc. are some of the words commonly used in Buddhist and Jaina vinaya.
To sum up, I would like to say that the common features of the two great śramaņa Traditions are abundant. It is difficult to do full justice with the subject in a small paper like this. Buddhism and Jainism have contributed to the development of cultures and civilization through ages. Advanced studies of the common features of the two Traditions are bound to begin a new vista in the field of learning.
Reference Works
1. Adipurāņa men Pratipădita Bhārata, Nemi Chandra Jain,
Varanasi, 1968.