Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Sukhlal Sanghavi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 25

Chapter 1
INITIAL BACKGROUND
Religion, Philosophy, Culture :
It would not be true to state that knowledge and learning can be acquired through vast reading. Reading less or more is a matter of liking, capability and facility. Howsoever less ones reading may be, if one desires to reap greater attainment and benefit, then the unavoidable condition is to keep ones mind open. No prejudices or ingrained impressions should be allowed to come in the way of success of ones desire to know truth. For this, the first need is that of fearlessness according to my experience. if religion has any true and useful meaning, it is fearless search after truth. Philosophy is one of the paths of search after truth, and we should know that religion and philosophy have an invariable association, whatever be the subject of our study. The two-religion and philosophy-cannot be bound in any particular sect. If all the doors of the mind are open to truth and if fearlessness is in its background, whatever we think or do merges into religion or philosophy. Let us remove filth and weakness from life and substitute it with all-sided purtity and a spirit of wisdom. Only this is real culture of life. The same thing is known, right from the ancient days, as religion' in all countries and sects. The Sadhana of religion is in progress even to-day in our country following its resumption thousands of years back. Our country 'Bharata is renowned for this Sadhana. Humanity and nationalism are not created or sustained in the absence of real culture. Religion and culture become meaningful only when all the powers, attainments and activities of individuals are directed towards social welfare. Genuine and deep understanding of culture is necessary also for removing the distorted understanding of religion, culture and philosophy and for up-rooting age-old superstitions.
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