Essence of Jainism

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

Page 29

Initial background
third individual. Many streams of religion flow in this manner, on the background of human life. In this manner, the background becomes more and more appropriate and fertile.
The rise of the stream of religion is not the paternal property of any one country or community; it is the welcome fruit on the different branches of one tree in form of the human race, sts impact may be in a few rare individuals, but there is a certain development of the community thereby.
[ Darsan ane Cintao, pt. one, p. 28] Two Forms of Religion : External and Interoal
Religion has two forms-one that is apparent and can be viewed, and the other not visible to the eye that can be grasped by the mind. The first can be called the body and the second the soul of religion.
The history of all religions shows that they all have their body. Let us first of all see how body is formed. On observation, these elements are commonly found in one and all religions and religious sects-a scripture; the scholar or teacher who composes and expounds it; holy places like tirthas, temples etc.; a certain type of prayer or fixed rituals; a class that nourishes these and has its maintenance thereon. In one form or another, all these will be found in all religions and sects, and this precisely comprises the body of that religion.
We have now to examine the soul of religion. What is it? Soul means life-force or life. The noble virtues like truth, love, selflessness, liberality, discrimination and humility etc., constitute the soul of religion. Bodies may be varied and many, but the soul is just the same everywhere. The same soul reveals itself through many bodies; in other words, we can state that the same one soul nourishes life in many bodies, makes life flow.
(Dardan ane Cintan, pt. one, p. 122,
Religion means an eagerness for grasping truth and a discri. minative equanimity; it means a practical way of life. This same religion is spiritual also. Other prescriptions and prohibitions,