________________
No 11
Jainism and the Modern World sympathetic understanding of our own religion we should show reverence and the spirit of toleration and trust towards all other creeds. Anekantavada takes a more comprehensive and synthetic view of all systems of religious thought."?
Anstacandra, Yasovijaya, Sidhasena Divakara Anandaghaņa the mystic-have all laid' stress on the same spirit of compromise and good will. Śri Ramakrshna Paramahamia has similarly said that different creeds are but different paths to reach the Almighty, and this was emphasised by Svami Vivekananda in his preachings. Thus Syadvada or Anekantavada is opposed to dogmaticism which creates strife, It holds out the message of peace and harmony, it teaches us to avoid clash and conflict. If this spirit ho once more cultivated, much of the present day strile of the world is likely to be restrained.
7. Religion miintains its vital force so lon; as it serves th: needs of the society; the very moment it turns a vay from the rea. lities of life and can not adapt itself to changing or changed environ. ment of the society, it loses its vitality and becomes sterile. The Jains in time degenerated and like the Hindus created for themselves deities, invented magical devices to subordinate them to their wishes, evolved mantras and yantras i.e. developed a tantrika attitude, Karma became a sort of determinism for them, thus robbing them of the virile spirit of energy al initiative. Belief in miracles and superstition has triumphed over reason and true faith.
8. History has shown that Jainism can adapt itself to chinged circumstances, can rice above stagnation by freeing itself from the bondage of the tangle of dogmas and can create kingdoms.
9. Just as Lord Mahavira evolved a system which protested against the prevailing order which cramped society and gave it new life, so it is necessary for the Jains-and for th: matter of that a'l Indians—to seek and gain inspiration from the teachings of our religion, to face boldly the changed political, economir and social situation, so that we may live a pure, bold and courageous lise.
1. Cf the . Veo-Realism of recent Anerican philosoplıy which his protested against this exclusive predication or ekantvida and call it the fallacy of exclusive particularity.
