Jain Journal 2001 04

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

Page 57

JAIN THE NOTION OF DHARMA IN JAINISM: A COMPARATIVE VIEW
knowledge and its instruments have been properly blended into a harmonious system.
Similar non-absolutist attitude about religio-philosophical matters has been expressed repeatedly and emphatically by the Buddha as well in the Sutta Nipāta and other texts.55
201
Śabara, also speaks in non-absolutist terms when he says that
The seers also cannot approach the end of the knowledge of substances individually. The wise decide about principles on the basis of characteristics.56
Similar thoughts have been expressed by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
Precious are the echoes of God's voice in the souls of men of long ago. Our regard for them must be tempered by the recognition of the truth that God has never finished the revelation of his wisdom and love. Besides our interpretation of religion must be in conformity with the findings of science. The Hindu thinker readily admits other' points of view than his own and considers them to be just as worthy of attention. When the Hindu found that different people aimed at and achieved God realization in different ways, he generously recognised them all and justified their place in the course of history. 57
Right attitude according to Jaina-dharma in other words means faith (astikya) in the eternity of the soul; in the transitory nature of this body of ours which becomes a temporary abode of the soul in the cycle of lives and deaths: in the principle of transmigration; in the unavoidability of the fruits of one's deeds; and belief in the inherent capacity of all living beings: in any form subtle of gross; developed or undeveloped; human or other than human of spiritual progress up to the stage of final emancipation; each by oneself and by its own efforts, without having to wait for Grace or look for help from any quarter-whatsoever by observing the path of dharma in all walks, professions, stages and situations in life. This attitude is expressed in compassion (anukampā) towards all living beings; in the inner urge of
55. Vide Acarya Narendra Deva, Bauddha Dharma-Darsana, p. 291; Sutta Nipāta: Paramaṭṭhaka Su. V. 1-8; Pasūra Su. V. 1-11 and Mahāviyūha Su. V. 1-3, 9-20; Anekanta and Madhyama Pratipada: Vaishali Research Institute, Res. bulletin No. 1 p. 256-257.
56. Rṣayo'pi padārthānām nāntam yāntipṛthakkaśaḥ; lakṣaṇena tu siddhantānāmantam yanti vipascitaḥ.: Purvamīmāṁsā 2.1.32.
57. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, The Hindu View of Life, p. 16. Refer also to the famous Upanisadic quote: Ekam sat viprāḥ bahudhā vadanti; also see above p. 1.