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THE JAINA GAZETTE
It is true that, when we travel, we do so (leaving business travels apart) for our pleasure, or for our health's sake, or we undertake dangerous expeditions for the sake of study; but, a certain time ago, we used to make the long and troublesome pilgrimage to Jerusalem, in order to worship at the Holy Sepulchre of Christ, and to protect it from the Saracens.
And it is true that our studying and teaching has all worldly ends, and that our Professors and scholars want nothing but find out, and spread, the truth about things; but, only some centuries ago, there existed no other science but Theology, the knowledge of God, and all the other disciplines were its subordinate branches, cultivated by learned and orthodox clergymen.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Modern India represents exactly the state of Medieval Europe, with its religio-centrical conception of the problems of life, from singing and dancing up to travelling, teaching and studying. Religion is the starting-point and aim of all and everything.
So it is with reference to the study of the Sacred Writings of Indian Religions. They are not, for the Indian student, first of all a subject of research, as they are to the Western scholar, but their study is indeed one of practical import. They live, and are being put fully into action, with all their minute and severe prescriptions.
I have been able to watch this phenomenon more particularly with reference to my special subject of study, viz. Jainism, whose ethics still forms the strictly authoritative canon of daily life of the present followers of the Jain Religion-exceptions being, of course, admitted. This system of Jain Ethics forms the subject of to-day's lecture. It boing a complicate and rather bulky matter, many details will have to be left a way. Still, its main points will be paid due attention to, both from the theoretical and practical side.
1. The Theoretical Side. Striving after Knowledge, Perception, Happiness, and Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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