Jain Journal 1970 01

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

Page 76

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JAIN JOURNAL
nism. Briefly I turn a fresh page: the nature of self-esteem in Jainism. The Jaina does not preach on street corners nor hand out scriptures with sulfa drugs. Jaina self-esteem stands on the intrinsic worth of the religion. We Westerners, you and me, bend to every wind of cultural transition, from the modernized chruch to the color television set. Let us benefit by the unshaken example of the nature of dignity in Jainism.
20. In a hurry, how can I learn more about Jainism?
...airmail subscription to two Jaina magazines, Jain Journal and The Voice of Ahimsa. The Voice is all warm heart, and the Journal is high art, both absolutely current and authentic. Here we caution the new-comer against non-Jaina sources. Outsiders read and misunderstand Jainology. Let yourself learn about Jainas from the Jainas themselves. The Voice lists its own publications and the new-comer would do well to order Religion of Tirthankaras by Dr. K.P. Jain, a word and picture Jainism from pre-Aryan through British India. Jain Journal reviews timely Jaina books which can be ordered through any big city book-finder service. Also through book-finder service, we press you to order the one book nearest to a Jaina "Bible" : Reality by Prof. S. A. Jain, Calcutta, 1960. The learned author recommends the newcomer to deep study of Chapters VI, VII, IX, and X., in that order, with Chapter IX the most valuable in the book. In conclusion, may we congratulate you. You have a rare treat in store as you begin to learn more about Jainism, the religion of Ahimsā, non-injury to all living beings.
Bonus Question. Would you please restate-pure and simple as we say-the distinctive Jaina doctrines?
...yes. Individual Responsibility: You are uncreated, self-existent, and eternal. This eternal you is individual and self-responsible. Your intentions and deeds in lives past and present account for your present and future body conditions and body bondages. Jaina code of conduct by whatever name you choose to call it, offers you the ultimate and everlasting free state. Free state is yours when you accept responsibility for yourself, root out your self-induced karmas, and regain your indentity as Pure Self. Seven-fold Viewpoint: Common experience shows that we cannot divorce personal conclusion from personal cognition. At best our estimate of reality is a partial truth, as proved by seven blind men with one elephant. We must live and let live in intellectual charity. Of all philosophical systems, Jaina seven-fold viewpoint most successfully promotes mutual sympathy and toleration. Here we see the basis for the famed Jaina ability to disagree without being disagreeable. Nature of Dignity: