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THE JAINA GAZETTE
distinct. I and this object cannot be one, nor can this object remain with me for ever. So long as my previous good karma is fructifying, I am enjoying this object." Thus, by indulging in such thoughts, you must avoid being engrossed in that object. You must rather absorb yourself in your essential nature, that is, in the attributes of Parmatman, so that the power of your Atman be developed and the attributes of parmatman be manifested therein.
Thus what Jainism principally propounds is the eradication of love, hatred, and illusion, but it is not an easy task to eradicate them. Nothing in the world can be more difficult and arduous than this. Men of valour fight the enemies, conquer the countries but to conquer the self is a mightier deed. This task cannot be accomplished all at once. It is done gradually and by the aid of practice. Hence, Jainism in order to eradicate Raga, Dvesha and Moha and to teach Vitragta and Shantta, lays down various ways for the souls on various planes and in different stages of development; and for laymen to look at a Vitrag image is also one of those ways. When we, having stood up before a Vitrag image, contemplate upon the attributes of Parmatman, the Vitrag image helps us a great deal. The Vitragta and Shantta of image have a great influence over the Atman, at least for the time being they are reproduced in the Atman. The image serves the same purpose as do the religious books which contain the description of Parmatman. In the religious books, you read the attributes of Parmatman ; in the image, you directly see the attributes of Vitragta and Shantta pertaining to Parmatman. Thus, in Jainism, image-worship is intended not to teach stone-worship. but to eradicate Raga, Dvesha and Moba from, and to infuse Vitragta and Shantta into Atman. Jainism cannot hold matter as the Parmatman, it gives a very elaborate description of matter, Atman, and Parmatman. Soul and matter are quite distinct, they cannot be one. Jiva should not assume his identity with matter. Now when such are the principles of Jainism, can it justly and rightly be said that it inculcates stone-worship ?
In my opinion, no man except savages and barbarians, can Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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