Aspect of Jainology Part 1 Lala Harjas Rai

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi

Page 42

Contemporary Relevance of Triratna' Ideal of Jainism
Jainism seems to lay more stress on right action or conduct, Right knowledge and right vision are the theoretical aspects whereas right conduct forms the practical one. It is the right conduct which perfects knowledge, since theory without practice is empty. Right knowledge dawns when all the karmas are destroyed by right conduct. S. Radhakrishnan rightly remarks The materialistic view of karma leads the Jainas to attribute more importance than the Buddhists to the outer act in contrast to the inner motive,"
Now let us turn our face to the modern society and observe how the well known triad called the three jewel (right intuition etc.) bear contemporary relevance. A consideration of the temper of the modern world leads us to believe that the most important fact that every social, political or religious thinker has to face not only in India but in any part of the world (so called developed and advanced), is that the social milieu in which he lives, is in a very high degree hostile to the spiritual life. Modern world claims to be progressive for certain reasons. The rapid growth (development) of science and technology has been threatening religions values of life for a considerably long time. It is said to have brought to us prosperity, convenience, sophistication and novelty. That is undoubtedly true. This world teems with objects of comforts provided by science. We are very lavishly enjoying the blessings of science in respect of automobiles, ships and what not. Our cosmonants have already reached the Moon and think now, to migrate on that. Various discoveries and inventions in the field of medicine and surgery have prolonged the span of human life. The greatness of a nation is measured today by the quality and amount of destructive weapons it possesses. Fabulous sums of money are spent for equipping the nation with sophisticated modern weapons. No one knows what will be the consequence of all this in future, but what it has resulted in something good or bad, is visible to every keen eye. The technological revolution liberates man from his servitude to Nature but it has also the dreadful possibility of man's self-destruction,
1.
27
'Indian Philosophy', vol, I, by Radhakrishnan, S. p. 325. George Allen and Unwin Ltd. London, 1929, also cf. A History of Indian Philosophy', Vol. I, by Dasgupta, S. N. p. 200, Cambridge University Press, 1969.