Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

Author(s): Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

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non-being. The remaining five are just states or modes of being and non-being. Therefore, the first two are the important fundamentals.
NEED OF DHARMA
This is the age of science. There is great progress in the field of science. The astonishing achievements of science have strengthened the belief of people in science. This belief has gone so deep that today man expects and seeks solution to each one of his problems in science. Today science has become the most essential need of human life. But the most surprising thing is that the science that has provided numerous means and equipment for the comforts and protection of human body has failed to provide any means or equipment for the soul, the source of the importance of the body. The primary reason for this is that science neither has knowledge of or belief in soul. Dharma has no significance for those who do not believe in the self or soul. The first step on the path of dharma is the awareness of the self and belief in soul. Dharma is for the bliss of soul. Dharma uses body for the happiness of soul, whereas science uses soul for the pleasures of body. .
All the sects, religions, and philosophies in this world which in some way or the other believe in the existence of soul and even those which consider the body to be the soul, accept dharma. This is the reason that dharma has become deep rooted in human ethos that every single person likes to be called righteous (religious) and no one likes to be called a sinner. Every single individual feels humiliated when called sinful and proud when called righteous in mundane context, spiritual context, or both. This means that by heart every person considers dharma to be good and sin to be bad.
Once an American scholar met me in connection with his thesis. During the discussions he said, “You Indians give a lot of stress on religion. But religions have caused too much bloodshed in this world, millions of people have been killed and the process still continues. Religions have spread hatred among people and not love. Religion has raised walls between people instead of making bridges. Religion has inspired fanaticism and not prudence. Religion is an intoxicant like opium. Therefore, wise people reject it considering it to be worthless."
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