Jain Journal 2004 01

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

Page 9

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others do not solve any problem."3 And Buddhism too holds a similar thought. "To be attached to a certain view and to look down upon others' views as inferior--this the wise men call a fetter."14 In this context, one is too familiar with the old story of the Six Blind Men and the Elephant, narrated in Jain and Buddhist texts. 15
JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XXXVIII, NO. 3 JAN. 2004
The Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah points out that "there can be no doubt that whatever the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except for a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose." Confucius also said, "In the world there are many different roads but the destination is the same. There are a hundred deliberations but the result is one."7
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While this is true, exclusive truth claims are also found across all religions. For example, the Catholic Church remarks that the nonChristian religions are 'incomplete' in their search for God (Evengelii Nuntiandi or Evangelisation in the Modern World, No. 53). Though the Church acknowledges that non-Christian religions "are all impregnated with innumerable seeds of the Word and can constitute a true preparation for the Gospel" (53), yet the Church also says that "our religion effectively established with God an authentic and living relationship which the other religions don't succeed in doing, even though..... their arms stretched out towards heaven" and it is the "religion of Jesus that objectively places man in relation with the plan
13. Sūtrakritānga 1.1.50, Ibid. p. 39
14. Suttanipata 798, Ibid. p. 39
15. Udana 68-69: Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant, Ibid, p. 41 16. Baha'i Faith: Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah 111, Ibid. p. 35 17. I Ching, Appended Remarks 2.5, Ibid. p. 34