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principle is the same as underlies the institution of Heroworship. The reason why the English adore Alfred, the French, Napoleon, the Americans, Washington and the Muse salmans, Mahomed—the instances can be multiplied to any extent-is the same. All these personages are in a sense the national Gods of the respective nations. Alfred is no longer in this mortal world of ours. He can do nothing directly for England. But his memory and worship arouse in an Englishman sentiments which are most valuable in his mental and spiritual development. They teach him the lesson of selflessness and sacrifice for his nation. Similarly in the cases of other Heroes. The worshippers of Mahāvira and other Tirthankaras adore them because they embody in themselves the perfect realisation of the Jain ideal and because their worship spiritualises Soul by constantly bringing that high and noble ideal before the mind of the worshipper.
Idol-Worship.
**: As we have seen above there is a complete unanimity among all religions on the question of God-worship. Even the latest sects are at one on the point. But a similar unanimity is not to be seen as regards idol-worship. Idol-worship is recognised only in India. All ancient religions of nonIndian origin with one voice preach against the worship of images. During recent times some new sects have, under the western teaching, discarded image-worship. We believe this is all due to their not properly comprehending the principle 'which underlies the method of idol-worship.
. The first objection raised against idols is that they cannot be traced to ancient times. It is usually supposed that idol-worship was introduced by the Buddhists of the Mahā. yāna school who were in the habit of erecting statues of Buddha for the purpose of worship, and that the other religions set up in imitation of the Buddhists, images of deities
