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THE JAINA GAZETTE this occasion the observer, also, confesses and repents for all the evils done, spoken or thought of by him. This is called Pratikramana—a part of the Samayika. And the Pratyakhana ceremony follows it, in which the devotee resolves to commit not the same mistake over again. "It is a great penance and it purifies the mind."
Jainism and Sikhism. FACH opened a significant chapter in the history of Indian
culture. Sikhism is one of the youngest religions. Jainism is one of the most ancient. For, Mahavir, a contemporary of Buddha did not found but re-proclaimed the Jain Dharma. Mahavir, great at once in culture and tapasya is regarded by the Jains as their latest Tirthankar. His life of singular beauty and singular service needs to be better known to the world. Jainism has a doctrine of matter which reminds one of Sankhya. The Jain thinkers have developed at some length the suggestive doctrine that matter is indefiniteness. And Shankara's doctrine of Maya has its relations also with the Jain doctrine of anekantavada. If maya be from one point of view Shakti, is not Maya from another point of view indifiniteness? The Jain contributions to logic, psychology and architecture are of an important character. Yet more important are the Jain contributions in the domain of ethics and spiritual life. The Jains evolved systems of Yoga ; and the Jain doctrine of trirathna (three jewels) and five vratas (vows), of Dhyana and lapas should have deep interest for all students of spiritual culture. Critics have often said that Jainism is in conflict with civilization. I rather think that the Jain darshan of Karma and Ahimsa is needed to save civilization and arrest the spirit of violence which has gained ascendency again and again in the historic process and marred the purpose of human evolution.-T. L. Vagwani (From Presidential Address at Indian Culture Conference, held at Gurukul Kangri.)
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
