Jaina Acara Siddhanta aur Svarupa

Author(s): Devendramuni
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 37

Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Swarūpa differ not in their aims. Indian philosophers I, however, see the good in their interaction.
There are some who aver that the principles of morality have reformed none. But it is the knowledge of ethics which alone inspires some to translate action into practice. Philosophy, Psychology, and Education suggest the right path but Ethics alone takes one to the right road. Without one's conquering passions, the entrance to morality is strictly prohibited. Mackenzie opines that morality is an action; religion is the right resolve of man as also that a resolve becomes an action with the help of Ethics. This is why it is a normative science.
Pure thoughts strengthen conduct and form the personality of man. One's development will be obstructed unless the two cooperate in perfect unison.
Philosophy is primarily concemed with thought and logic or logical thinking, whereas religion has everything to do with conduct and behaviour of persons amongst themselves. The basis of philosophy is logic whereas religion is based on faith. As such, the two must inter-act. Indian philosophers reject the western view of treating them differently. Conduct, for us is the subject of metaphysics. They have given the same importance to conduct and thought. The Purvamimāmsā in Vedānta emphasizes conduct but Sankhya concerns itself with thought alone. Hinayāna relates to conduct whereas Mahāyāna in Buddhism treats of thought.
Many Indian philosophers take God as the creator of the universe. That everything is controlled by God will only lead a country to anarchy. Everybody will then be irresponsibly dependent on others. If God can be pacificd with prayer and devotion, why should man care for the right or the wrong? Jainism, however, says that man is not a puppet in the hands of God. If you sow the wind, you shall reap the whirlwind. One must suffer for one's commissions and omissions. Only then will he try to entertain holy thoughts so as to secure this world and hereafter. Actions bear their own fruit and God is unconcerned with what you do and think. In India some philosophers stressed knowledge, some others devotion and action. The Jainas have throughout laid emphasis on good conduct or piety. "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost/When health is lost, something is lost/But when character is lost, everything is lost'. We shall now consider what Jainism has propounded in this regard.