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Scriptural and other Arguments for Theism
in Jainism
171
morality he tries to make an estimate of Jainism as religion and a code of moral practices, and says that "Jainism is nevertheless a God believing religion."179 Jainism, apart form being a rational religion, as Dr. Bhattāchāraya says, is also an ethical system. Considering the Jain religion and thought from these points it appears before us as theistic par excellence. (4) Dr. Bhārgava
Dr. Dayānand Bhārgava in his 'Jain Ethics' says Jains do not accept hypothesis that God made this world. “This, however, does not mean that there is no God.. Human souls themselves attain Godhood or Siddhahood by shedding away all impurities... These Siddhas are far more above gods or deites.""}80 While discussing the salient features of Jain ethics, one of the features as he says is, that Jain ethics does not confuse the science of spirituality (mokşaśāstra) with science of social righteousness (dharmaśāstra)... It lays emphasis on the unity of faith, knowledge and conduct. Thus Jaina ethics is not merely a system giving certain code of morality, but it is a religion to be lived in practice.181 Thus we find in Jainism a definite place for ethics and morality. The path of three jewels, the conduct of a householder as well as a monk, penances, stages of spiritual development etc, are very justifiably discussed by Dr. Bhārgava where one finds the theistic presuppositions clearly visible in the background of the discussions of these issues. (5) Dr. J. P. Jain : "
Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain is much known for his 'Jainism the Oldest Living Religion' where he proves the antiquity of Jainism. But then I am concentrating on his another book, 'Religion and Culture of the Jains, 182 Concentrating upon the two chapters : “The Path' and 'worship, Ritual, Fasts and Festivals', we can say that Dr. J. P. Jain is also of the opinion that the basic spirit of Jainism is 'to live and let live', to live a life of understanding, tolerance, sympathetic cooperation, and peaceful coexistence, may, the still fuller and nobler corealisation."183
179. Bhattacharya H.S., The Jain Moral Doctrine (1976), p. 17 180. Bhargava Dayanand, Jain Ethics (1968), p. 25-26 181. Ibid., p. 37-38 182. Religion and Culture of the Jains by Dr. J.P. Jain,
Bharatiya Jñanapith Publications, New Delhi, (1977), p. 196 183. Ibid., p. 102-103
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