JAINA Convention 2005 07 JCNC

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

Page 75

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SCIENCE WITHOUT RELIGION
"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." (Albert Einstein 1941)
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By: Acharya Shri Chandanaji
We are a few moments away from Mars, close to cloning, and a scanner can visually dissect each centimeter of the human body. In a lifetime, an expert in a particular field could not possibly grasp all of the rapid technological advancements in that same field. Despite all of this technological and scientific progress, the fact remains that the sphere of knowledge is always encircled by the sphere of the unknown. The more we expand on our knowledge, the more we realize that the sphere of the unknown truly exists.
Many western countries are full of resources, opportunities, and scientific advancement. However, for inhabitants of these countries, the truth is that their outward journey has made their inward journey painful, pitiful, and pathetic. Lust and luxuries have made their lives lusterless, lonely, and loveless. The hunger for inner
peace, the intense desire for improved interpersonal relationships, and the hunt for
harmonious mental matching are seen so evidently that in western countries there is
a growing business to market techniques to satisfy such desires. People who don't know the 'Y' of yoga, the 'M' of meditation, or the 'R' of religion are successfully
making big money marketing it to others.
The answer to the world's problems lie in many spiritual philosophies and one of these great philosophies is that of Jainism. The Jain religion is very close to science
and hence the union of religion and science can start with Jainism. To attract the
interest of the western world to the glorious philosophy of Tirthankar Mahaveer it is necessary to emphasize the following points"
1. Jainism deals with environmental protection.
2. The Jain principle of non-violence is not only a religious theme but also a reverence of the belief that life is a necessity for various lives to coexist on earth.
3. Respect for other's views (Anekant) is not only a principle to be learnt by scholars, but is also a way of life to be learnt by each person for harmonious relationships between two individuals or by nations in order to achieve world peace.
4. The concept of non-possessiveness represents a belief in sharing and caring. Compassion and donations are part of this principle. You should not only let others live, but you should also help them to live.
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5. Vegetarianism is not a religious concept. It is a necessity. It leads the human mind away from cruelty, confrontation, and carelessness with nature.
JAINA
ᅲᅲ
2005
The answer to
the world's problems lie in
many spiritual philosophies and
one of these great philosophies is
that of Jainism.
The Jain religion
is very close to
science and hence the union
of religion and science can start with Jainism
Extending Jain Heritage in Western Environment
69 www.jaelibrary.org