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IS JAIN DHARMA A UNIVERSAL RELIGION?
Can the Jain Dharma be called a universal religion?
Yes! It can be called so, because in the Jain Dharma the actual form of the universe has been described.
It contains such rules and prohibitions that the whole universe can comprehend them.
There is no single founder or a single exponent or prophet for Jainism; but Jainism has accepted and honoured him who possessed such virtues as Vitragata (the conquest of the inner enemies), Omniscience, truthfulness and has accepted such a person for its founder or exponent.
The Jain Dharma contains a detailed description of all the spiritual activities and austerities that are to be carried out by all Jivas in this universe from the lowest to the highest.
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The Jain Dharma throws light on all tatvas that are existent and that have been formulated in the world.
The Jain Dharma comprises such magnificent tatvas as the Principles of Ahimsa or non-violence; the Anekantvad etc. and those doctrines can help the people of the world to face and solve all their vexatious and agonizing problems. Therefore, the Jain Dharma can be surely called a Universal religion or a universally beneficial religion.
Once Shri Devadas Gandhi the son of Mahatma Gandhi happened to ask the famous British dramatist and thinker. "If the existence of the other world is a reality; if the soul can transmigrate and be reborn, what kind of existence do you prefer in the next Janma ?"
Bernard Shaw replied, "I wish to be born as a Jain."
Devadas again said "There are crores of Hindus who believe in the next Janma and the other world. Leaving them aside, why do you want to be born as a Jain ?"
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