Gems of Jainism

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

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Values in Jainism for the Modern World
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both, as one of the nine systems of Indian Philosophy and as one of the oldest living religion. In Short, we want to understand Jainism as a system and as a religion practiced by Jains. Origin and its Antiquity:
Jainism is the religion of Jains, a path practiced and preached by Jinas, which means by the conquerors of self. “It is an important, fully developed and well established religioas and cultural system"13 Jainism is not founded by Lord Mahavira. Its antiquity goes back to pre-Aryan and may be even pre-vedic period. Dr. Harmon Jacob says “In conclusion let me assert my conviction that Jainism is an original system, quite distinct and independent from others” 14. Major Gen. J.G.A. Forlong says ".... It is impossible to know the beginning of Jainism”15 Amongst the Indian Scholars, Dr. S., Radhakrishnan says, “There is nothing wonderful in my saying that Jainism was in existence long before the Vedas were compassed” 16 According to Jains their religion is Anādi - i.e. since time immemorial, it is eternal and has been revealed again and again. Jaina Darshan :
Fundamentally Jainism emphasis and discusses two great categories: Soul (Jiva), and Non-soul (Ajiva). “The whole universe falls under this division, which is logically perfect, it is division by dichotomy" 17
According to Jainism the world is anādi or from the beginningless of time. It is real and is eternal. What Jain metaphysics inainly discusses are the following topics: (i) substance and attributes (Dravyatatva-Vichāra) (ii) The Karmas and Law of Karma (Karma Vada) (ii) The Seven Principles (Tattvas) (iv) The Nine Padārthas (Catagories) (v) The nature and stages of evolution of the soul. We also find the principle of non-absolutism and manysidedness of reality in Jain epistemology and logic. The Nayavāda, the soul in bondage and its liberation -all these we find being discussed in Jain philosophy. Jainism believes that the soul is essentially, in its pure state, infinitely blissful, powerful and