Book Title: Gandhi And Jainism
Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

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Page 319
________________ of Pralaya on the supposition of un-manifest diversity in the souls and manifest sameness, how can diversity exist except through connection with a body? If we believe that such connection exists in the state of Pralaya, we shall have to believe further that all souls will have one sense only and in doing so we shall reject, without reason, the possibility of other modes of existence. In other words, we shall have to suppose that a soul which had attained a higher state and was about to be free for ever from the contingency of existence with one sense only had none the less to be in such a state. This and many similar doubts arise. A Pralaya involving all souls is impossible. In short, the conception of total extinction of the universe is altogether untenable. Q.23.0 Will the world be morally better off in the future? A.23.0 It would not be proper to encourage any soul which loves immorality to take wrong advantage of the answer to this question. All modes in this world, including morality and immorality, have existed from the beginning of time. But it is possible for you and me to eschew immorality and accept morality, and it is the duty of the Atma to do that. It is not possible to assert that immorality will be given up by all and morality will prevail, for such an extreme state cannot come about. Q.24.0 Can an illiterate person attain Mokşa through Bhakti alone? A.24.0 Bhakti is a cause of knowledge and knowledge of Mokşa. If by an illiterate person we mean one without knowledge of letters, it is not impossible that he may cultivate Bhakti. Every soul has knowledge as its essence. The power of Bhakti purifies knowledge, and pure knowledge becomes the cause of Moksa. I do not believe that, without the manifestation of perfect knowledge, absolute Moksa is possible. Nor need I point out that Pg.296 | Gandhi & Jainism

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