Jain Journal 1991 04

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

Page 31

APRIL, 1991
ceptions seems to be inappropriate in present times when much of the world is becoming multicultural. In a multicultural society such as ours we are supposed to develop respect and understanding of other religions, races, creeds and beliefs. Instead of repeating hatred towards others we must make efforts to develop love and understanding towards our fellow brothers and sisters Things that might have been true four hundred years ago are not certainly true today. But if we are going to continue to repeat verses that are suggestive of past practices as true today, we may be guilty of discrimination and hatred towards other religions unwontingly.
Though the Sikh scriptures do not mention Jain Dharma directly, references are made in Sikh scriptures and other literature to a certain sect of Jain monks. It is their way of life and living that is ridiculed by Baba Nanak, but unfortunately we do not get a good picture of the philosophical or ethical nature of Jain Dharma from these verses. So people who read the Sikh scriptures are being informed of an ancient and formidable religion in a very stereotypical fashion. Therefore, it is useful to read with interest and understanding the description of Jain Dharma (Jainism) as given by modern Sikh scholars, e,g., Surinder Singh Kohli, to gain insight into the background of this great religion. This can be found in an earlier section of this paper on pages 7-10 of this article.
Epilogue:
175
Many religions of the modern world are protest religions or reformations of formerly existing religions. In the context of India, giver of the world's many well-known religions (Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism) and not so well-known religionn (Jainism), we see many protest or reform religions or sects of the original Hinduism.
Two of the earliest reform religions that expressed themselves against the Hindu Brahmanic emphasis on caste, ritualism and human or animal sacrificial rites in the name of religion, are Buddhism and Jainism (though Jains consider theirs to be an eternal and universal religion).
The founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha, and the last (twentyfourth) Tirthankara of Jains, Lord Mahavira, are considered to be contemporaries by meny historical accounts. While Buddhism flourished