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THE JAINA GAZETTE.
conscious being supposing that after leaving his unconscious body behind, he went elsewhere, perhaps to another planet, and grew another brain. But still it might be urged in answer to this, that supposing the individual were reborn among us here, he would when grown up be able to give us evidence of his continued existence by making himself known to be one of our old acquaintances. But this is generally prevented by his knowledge of his own past being obscured.
We need not deal with the remark about the origin for the idea of an after-life It would perhaps be more reasonable to think that the idea originates from the soul itself and comes out in the course of development or manifestation of the soul's qualities.
To sum up, Mr. Spencer has given his view of what consciousness is, has stated certain premisses, drawn conclusions. and expressed himself sceptical about them. We have seen that his view of what consciousness is is not satisfactory, that his premisses do not warrant the conclusions, and that the scepticism is justifiable and is supported by other philosophy, which shows that there is rational evidence for belief in an after-life. The thought, therefore, that consciousness continues after physical organization has become inactive does not have to be given up; on the contrary, the idea which has to be given up is that it does not continue. All real being is indestructible and must always exist, and it is impossible for a conscious being to exist minus consciousness.
JAINISM. In Western Garb, as a Solution to Life's
great problems.
BY HERBERT WARREN. President, The Mahavira Jain Brotherhood, London.
Price Rupee One oply. Can be had of_" THE JAINA GAZETTE" OFFICE,
George Town, MADRAS. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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