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Jain Theism
judiciousness that makes the doctrine “an explanation of the moral justice in the universe"? It is this affirmed and assured reliability that inculcates faith - faith is actual practice of the moral rules and becoming more and more free from the bondage; becoming more and more light.
On the whole Jain. doctrine of Karma as a moral principle proves to be quite consistent with its own metaphysics and epistemology, becomes a great satisfaction to one's sense of justice and sound solution to the problem of "seemingly unmerited suffering : 'and besides all these a very powerful moral force pushing the human conduct towards a high spiritual plane. 4.2.6 Theistic Implications
We have so far understood and examined as the aspects of the theory of Karma in general as well as the doctrine of Karma in Jain pholosophy in particular. The, Jain doctrine of Karma as we have seen emerges out as a profoundly fundamental in its base and highly scientific in its operation. What is more importanrt is its ultimate motive. It, after all, serves itself as a means to an end, as a tool or instrument;
altiinate end is to enable one to break the chain of the Karmic bondage and to lead to the final attainment of salvation. In my humble opinion, it is this very reason that would make the doctrine a moral or ethical one, though it has a strong metaphysical foundation. The doctrine of Karma if viewed from its moral or ethical aspects does reveal some theistic elements, and theistic presuppositions. Let us discuss some of them.
Jainism is, as we know, realism, Its morality is also a rational morality. “The reasons why man needs a moral code will tel you that the purpose of morality is to define man, proper values and interests, that concern with his own interests is the essence of a moral existence, and that man must be the beneficiary of his own moral action"99 I quote from Galt's speech : "There is only one fundamental altemative in the universe : existence or non-existence and it pertains to a single class of entities : to living organisms. The existence of inanimate matter is unconditional, the existence of life is not; it depends on a specific course of action. Matter is indestructible, it changes its forms, but it cannot cease to exist. It is only a living organism that faces a constant alternative; the issue of life or death. Life is a process of self-sustaining and self-generated action. If an organism fails in that action, it does; its chemical elements remain, but its life goes out of existence, It is
99. Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness, (1970), introduction p. ix
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