Charlotte Krause her Life and Literature

Author(s): Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 21

[
xiv
]
and every branch of Indian Philosophy.
In her second essay, "The Interpretation of Jaina Ethics”, she starts with the comparison of the outlook of the modern Europeans and Indians towards the way of living. She rightly observes, “it is true that our intellect is at present absorbed in technical and scientific problem but only a few centuries ago it was so in problem of how best to win the grace of God. ... ... It is true that our studying and teaching has all worldly ends, ... ... but only some centuries ago there existed no other science but Theology, the knowledge of God and all the other disciplines were its subordinate branches. Modern India represents exactly the state of Medieval Europe, with its religio-centrical conception of the problems of life.” ... ... Religion is the starting point and aim of all and everything. According to Dr. Charlotte Krause, sacred writings of Indian religions are not a subject of research or mere have a theoretical import as they are to the western scholars, but their study is indeed one of the practical import. They are being put fully into action. While interpreting the Jaina ethics, she also accepts the same fact. In this essay while dealing with the theoretical aspect of Jaina ethics, she discusses the main features of Jaina Karma Theory and accepts that this Karma theory is the fundamental postulate of Jaina ethics. On the concept of practical aspect of Jaina Ethics, she has dealt with the concepts of Jinakalpa and Sthavirakalpa, Punya and Pāpa, Asrava and Saṁvara, five Samitis and three Guptis, twenty-two Hardships, ten virtues, 12 reflections, five căritrās, five great vows of monk, twelve vows of the house-holder and twelve types of austerities as a means of Nirjarā. On the ritualistic aspect of Jaina ethics, she discusses the six essential duties ( Āvaśyakas ). In this essay the aspects of Jaina Ethics discussed, are descriptive in nature. She has not made any critical evaluation of them, except a sense of admiration.
The third essay of the present volume "The Heritage of Last Arhat" deals with the fundamental teachings of Jainism. At the very