JAINA Convention 2007 07 Edison NJ

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

Page 69

instinctive, joyous, and effortless. But without Truth, it is impossible to observe any principles or rules in life
How do we attain Truth? As rational beings we must make full use of our minds, yet, reason cannot take us far. Reason is a poor thing in the midst of temptations and easily succumbs to passion and instinct, Reason must therefore be reinforced by faith. Faith takes us beyond, but it is not unreasonable. Faith only begins where reason stops. What then is faith? True faith is the appropriation of the reasoned experience of people whom we believe to have penance. The act of appropriation takes place through intuition. The insights of ancient rishis can be immediately apprehended because we share a common humanity that transcends place and time.
Intuitively understood, Truth is a discovery, but that discovery to be complete Our first responsibility is must be actualized in deeds. Truth is mystical and motor- the product of
to establish grace and works. Dialogue without deed is therefore meaningless. dialogue with ourselves,
Finally, a dialogue has nothing to do with patriotism. Gandhi agrees with for the creation of
the British literary critic Samuel Johnson: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a inner peace. This is scoundrel." George Bernard Shaw concurs: "You'll never have a peaceful an unconditional duty.
world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race." For Gandhi, It is dialogue of the self
"patriotism is the same as love of humanity." <> with the self, for it is
God who speaks to us through us. Thus there is
a vital connection between religion and morality, because the
inner dialogue is unconditional.
Photograph by Thomas Dix
14 Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
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PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
Jain Education Intemational