Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 12

Historical Development of Jaina Sădhanā : 5
are faiths alien to Hinduism. The Western scholars have committed a great mistake in highlighting this view, though they have done this intentionally to lay the foundation of enmity and disintegration to this great Indian Culture. But here I would like to say that it was not a revolt but a reformer's crusade. In fact Vedic and Sramanic traditions are not rival traditions as some of the Western and Indian scholars think but they are complementary to each other, because these two represent the two aspects of human existence – physical as well as spiritual. There has been a deliberate effort to creat a gulf between Jainism and Buddhism on the one hand and Hinduism on the other, by Western Scholars. Unfortunately, some Indian scholars, even Jaina scholars, supported their point of view, but in my humble opinion this was a false step taken in a wrong direction. It is true that śramanic and Vedic traditions have divergent views on certain religious and philosophical issues, their ideals of living also differ considerably. But this does not mean that they are rivals or enemies of each other. As reason and passion, Sreya and Preya, inspite of being different in their very nature, are the components of the same human personality, so is the case with Sramanic and Vedic traditions. Though inheriting distinct features, they are the components of one whole Indian Culture. Jainism and Buddhism were not rivals to the Hinduism, but what they preached to the Indian society was an advanced stage in the field of spirituality as compared to Vedic ritualism. If the Upanişadic trend, inspite of taking a divergent stand from Vedic ritualism, is considered as a part and parcel of Hinduism and an advance towards spirituality, what is difficulty in measuring Jainism and Buddhism with same yardstick? Again, if Sārkhyas and Mimāṁsakas, Advaitists and Dvaitists, inspite of having different philosophies and pathways belong to one and the same Hinduism, why not Jainism and Buddhism ?