Jain Journal 1995 10

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

Page 21

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXX, No. 2. October 1995
11. DISCUSSION ABOUT BLOODY SACRIFICE Q-Is there any merit in performing bloody sacrifice? A. -The man only acquires demerit by slaughtering, sacrificing or
causing the slightest pain to animals. It matters little, whether the animal is killed for sacrifice or for the sake of God in a temple. It is true that alms are given at the time of sacrifice which are a source of gaining merit, but being associated with himsā, i. e. injury to animals this sort of alms-giving also should not be consented to.
12. RATIONALISM Q-When it is said that Dharma or Religion is the highest thing, then
is there any harm in asking reasons for its superiority and
validity? A. –To declare the superiority and validity of the teachings of Dharma
without considering the reasons thereof is undoudtedly very
armful, for it will give rise to propagation of all sorts of things good or bad, meritorious and demeritorious. The validity or non-validity, superiority or otherwise of a thing can only be established by cogent and potent reasons. I think only those teachings of dharma are best which prove thimselves to be strong and sound in destroying the cycle of births and deaths; and in realising this pure and peaceful state of life.
13. CHRISTIANITY DISCUSSED Q-Do you know anything about Christianity? If so, what do you think
about it? A. -I have ordinary information about Christianity, but it is a thing of
common knowledge that the methods of thought and achievement of the Indian sages are different from those of the foreigners. In Christianity soul is always believed to be dependent on others, even in the highest heaven it is not taken to be free from limitations and bondages. In its scriptures very little light has been thrown on the real intrinsic nature of soul. There is neither any systematic description of the causes of birth, death and other various vicissitudes of life, nor has it dealt with the right ways and methods for the removeal of those causes. For these reasons Christianity does not appeal to me to be the highest religion. This opinion of mine is not based on any religious prejudice. If you want to know anything further in this connection, I shall try to elucidate it.