Book Title: Gems of Jainism
Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

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Page 102
________________ Jainiasm, Fundamentalism and Peaceful Society 93 Concept of God : Jain Theism: 1. Jiinisin is religion & a Jain is a religious person 2. Jainism believes in the existence of soul 3. Jainism believes in God as super Soul or Absolutely Pure soul with all qualities in infinities Jain believes in worship - Sadhana - and liberation or Moksa as the highest aim in life Jain has its own ethics, prayers, principles of morality and practice of eternal vows and values. Jain has a metaphysical theism-One who is a true Jaina is truly Theistic. PART-II Fundamentalism (Meaning and Nature) Let us understand Fundamentalism and a fundamentalist. Fundamentalism precisely means an attitude or insistence to stick to Texts-without any modification, or interpretation or change. 'What I say is the scripture and one has to believe or act accordingly, if one does not he will be punished.' This clearly brings to us the element of "Force" and use of punishment through Violence in Fundamentalism. In fact, a fundamentalist believes that it is his duty to force or to fight or even to kill those who do not act according to his understanding of scripture. In fundamentalism there is a forcible submission to action of his (fundamentalist's) understanding. Force means no freedom, force means violence. Thus we find absence of freedom, peace and cordial relationship in fundamentalism. What does a fundamentalist want ? A fundamentalist always claims the absolute truth of knowledge; and his main work is to Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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