Jain Journal 1968 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 52

The Key of Knowledge
(From the previous issue)
DIGEST
"Religion is the vital principle of the world, since it is the first cause of all felicity. It proceeds from man, and it is by it also that man attains that chief good. From religion, birth in a good family is obtained, bodily health, good fortune, long life, and prowess. From religion also spring pure renown, a thirst for knowledge, and increase of wealth. From the darkest gloom, and very dreaded ill, religion will ever prove a saviour. Religion when duly practised bestows heaven, and final emancipation."
-The Kalpa Sutra
The remaining 300 pages of Mr. Jain's book enumerate the siddhänta based on the Jaina doctrines, as summarised below:
Happiness is the motor-spring of human activity. Investigation reveals the fact that pure joy does not exist outside the seeker thereof. He alone of all beings, who can be said to be free from all kinds of restraint, obligation and desire, who, in other words, is full and perfect in himself, and whose consciousness of supremacy places him beyond the temptations of the senses, can be happy in the true sense of the word. But such a condition is conceivable only in connection with Gods; hence, man must become God if he would enjoy perfect bliss. But the important question which it gives rise to is: is it possible to become God? We, therefore, proceed to investigate the nature of Godhood and to ascertain if the difference between God and man be such as may be said to be bridgeable.
The problem presents itself under three heads, namely,
(1) God,
(2) Soul, and
(3) Nature (the world).
CHAMPAT RAI JAIN
Allahabad 1928
As regards the first of these points, we must reject the idea of a creator altogether, since there are no sufficient reasons to prove that a