Gems of Jainism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

Page 65

56
Gems of Jainism
Let us also be clear about the need for Religion. Dr.S Radhakrishnan says, “The world has been shrinking at an increasing pace with the advance of communications and technology.... The need for religion, for a system of thought, for devotion to a cause, which will give our fragile, and fugitive existence significance and value does not require much elaborate argument”.1
Religion we need for more than one reason. Religion, even if not giving clarity to head, certainly gives warmth to the heart that ‘love of God will make up for unkindness and that cruelty and failure will give place to love and victory. There are thinkers who see religion as social phenomenon. “For them truth is social unity. Religion is a part of social mechanism with a social purpose, social interest and social hope." This school also feels need for religion if not as worship to God or as path to perfection, at least, as a means to self-culture and social improvement. Every one needs religion because the true religious life, as Dr. S. Radhakrishnan says, “is spiritual certainty offering us strength and solace in the hour of need and sorrow. It is the conviction that love and justice are at heart of the universe, that spirit which gave rise to man will further his perfection. We need religion for this very faith that cling to us even in our sadness and sorrows. The need for religion, for an individual, for the society as well as for the world, will be there for Everbody's welfare, for everybody's peace and for everybody's gain in spiritual power. Faith is an intrinsic element of human nature. The question is what kind of religion? Is it a religion of love and brotherhood or of power and hate? The question is therefore not, religion or no religion, but what kind of religion?' Volumes can be written on meaning and need for religion. I just avoid the entire discussion because we want to examine the role of Reason and Faith in religion(s). RELIGION; EAST AND WEST: Understanding Religion
A long review of history suggests us that there is not much difference about the basic or fundamental essence and nature of life, be it in east or west. It is difficult to define precisely what we