Jain Journal 2007 04

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

Page 25

194
JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XLI, NO.4 APRIL. 2007
maintains that the diversity in the teachings of the Sages is due to diversity in the levels of their disciples or the diversity in the standpoints adopted by the Sages themselves or the diversities in place and time i.e. ethnic circumstances, in which they preached or it is only apparent diversity. Just as a physician prescribes different medicines according to the condition of patients, his illness and the climatic conditions, so is the case with the diversity in religious preaching also. Therefore, unity, as well as diversity both are equally essential for the fellowship of faiths and we should not undermine any one of them. Just as the beauty of a garden consists in the variety of flower, fruits and plants, in the same way the beauty of the garden of religions depends on the variety of thoughts, ideals and modes of workship.
The religions of the world differ from each-other only on the basis of their modes of worship as well as the name of worshipable or the preacher, but so far as religious and moral values are concerned all the religions of the world have a common plateform. The essence of all the religions of the world is the same and one.
Equal Regard to all Religions:
Equal regard to different faiths and religions should be the base of religious harmony and fellowship of faiths. Siddhasena Diväkara remarks just as emerald and other jewels of rare quality and of excellent kind do not acquire the designation of necklace of jewels and find their position on the chest of human beings so is the case with different religions and faiths. Whatever excellent qualities and virtues they possess unless they are catenated in the common thread of fellowship and have equal regard for others, they cannot find their due place in human hearts and can be charged for spreading hostility and hatred in mankind.
Therefore, one thing we must bear in our mind that if we consider other religions or faiths as inferior to ours or false, real harmony will not be possible. We have to give equal regard to all the faiths and religions. Every religion or mode of worship has its origination in a particular social and cultural background and has its utility and truth value