JAINA Convention 2005 07 JCNC

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 64

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world religions does not advocate blind faith. The shloke "Padhamam Nanam Tao Daya"- from Dasaveaaliyam 4/10 gives importance to knowledge over the religion of compassion. The shloke "Samyag-darshan-gyan-charitrani Mokshamargah" from Tatvarth Sutra 1/1 also clearly says that Darshan or faith should be enlightened, not blind. The second distinguishing aspect of Jainism is that Jain philosophy is of human origin, in contrast to biblical (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and Brahmanical faiths (Vedic school) that believe that their respective religious messages were provided by Supreme Divine Being (God). The third and probably the most important aspect that makes Jainism similar to Science is its system of logical and systematic reasoning, built on the basic Jain view of the Universe, comprising of both the living and the non-living.
These similarities and certain Jain observations consistent with science still do not make Jainism scientific. From a scientist's point of view, we need evidence of Jain concepts like the Jain Universe, the Soul, and Keval-Gyan that can be demonstrated by today's scientific methods. However, let us examine this a little more closely.
Science has definitely studied the Universe in great detail, and has come up with theories that match its observations. The most widely accepted theory on the origin of the Universe is the Big Bang Theory which seems to be inconsistent with the Jain view of the Universe. However, the somewhat recent but not well developed QuasiSteady State Theory may be quite consistent with the Jain view. Today's scientists. agree that their observations of cosmos have serious limitation, leaving a number of tough questions unanswered, and consequently non of the Universe Theories are expected to be proven in near future.
Science has understood a lot about living organisms, and these observations are quite consistent with Jain concepts of life-form discussed 2600 years ago. The field of genetic sciences has given a lot more impetus to this study and has given a lot more insight into various life-forms. There is hardly any finding which is inconsistent with Jain concepts. However, science still does not have the tools to measure, predict, or observe consciousness. Does consciousness simply manifests itself when an exact of set of molecules or atoms are combined or is it something truly distinct from the physical matter? Jainism on the other hand has very specific views on living matter as opposed to non-living matter.
Science does not believe in a prophet that delivers a message of the ultimate Truth. (This does not mean scientists do not believe in religion or have Faith.). This is because a scientific belief is always subject to change based on new and updated observation or evidence whereas a message of the prophet or the Truth is unchangeable. Even here Jainism holds the view that is somewhat closer to science. Jainism says while the ultimate truth is one and the same, the presentation, practice and under
Extending Jain Heritage in Western Environment