Jain Theism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Hemant Shah

Page 49

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Jain Theism
and need for religion is in no way, less important than science. We have already seen that religion is not a heap of doctrines and myths or rites and cults. “Religion is not mere intellectual conformity or ceremonial piety, it is spiritual adventure. It is not theology but practice.'*90 “religion is a life to be lived, not a theory to be accepted or a belief to be adhered to "!! Man is always eager to see that every aspect of his personality, his existence and his character, is raised to its highest extent. For this what is needed is a 'change of consciousness'.
a rebornness', 'an inner evolution'. This is all possible through religion which is a fulfilment of man's life. “All religions train us to accept life as an opportunity for self realisation : ātmanastu kāmāya".
The modern world, with all its progress and unity, ultimately necds a new cultural basis, While discussing this issue Dr. S. Radhakrishnan says that the modern world cannot be guided by the economic and the pragmatistic mindian It requires the spiritual one. He says, “Religion is the inside of a civilization, the soul as it were of the body of its social organisation. Scientific application, economic alliance, political institutions may bring the world together outwardly : but for a strong and stable unity the invisible but deeper bonds of ideas and ideals to be strengthened."92 Religion in this sense will be the binding force which will deepen the solidarity of human society.''43We cannot think of any activity, any practice devoid of tolerance and humbleness. All great religions preach respect for other ways of life. “It (religion) induces in us not an attitude of mere tolerance which implies conscious superiority, not patronizing pity, not condescending charity, but genuine respect and appreciation.'*94
The most significant role of religion is its spiritual education of the race and the culture of an individual's heart. So long as we need the race to be spiritual and not materialistic, an acute need to widen the narrowness of our horizons, a way out from the paradoxes and perplexities of life, we need Religion. “Religion is not only life transcending but also life transforming. 95 What could be there in the service of the suffering humanity but a true religion and its true worship.
90. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Indian Religions (1947) p. II 91. Ibid p. 24 92. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, East and West in Religion (1933) p. 45 93. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Indian Religions (1947) p. 15 94. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, East and West in Religion (1933) p. 32 95. Ibid p. 69