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LANDINGEN
- The Jaina Philosophy cannot duplicate a thousand times with even greater emphasis from the sacred books and teachings of our religion antedating as they do the Christian era by thousands upon thousands of years.
They have answered for our instruction in spiritual worship, in the moralities of life and in all outward expressions of brotherhood, to this day evolving among us and before our eyes devoted lives, spotless characters, gifted prophets, tireless regenerators, about whose names the white light of glorious immortality ceaselessly shines. I ask you, my Christian brothers and sisters, to explain to me this truth of history; I ask you to account for all this in the absence of your Christianity on the basis of your fearful dogma, that without the knowledge of your Christ and of your religion no good can come out of any Nazareth.
What then is the proper missionary method? It speaks itself. It is to recognize and build upon the undoubted and unquestionable truth which is found in all religions – the wide world over, even our heathen religions of India. Instead of affirming universal depravity, change the diction and declare for universal goodness at bottom and truth the natural aspiration, longing and desire of every human soul. Instead of basing regeneration deliverance and liberation upon the vicarious atonement of one or more Christ, affirm the right, the power, the privilege, the opportunity of every soul to assert itself by its own exertions, devotions, austerities and worship of the good, begin the ascent toward holiness, happiness and heaven.
Dignify the present life by-teaching its laws, its opportunities and its possible destinies. Exalt its worth by showing its origin in infinite wisdom and infinite goodness. Increase its pleasures by cultivating its intuitions, its intellectual and moral faculties. Lessen its burdens by recognizing its worth, by encouraging its worship of that which is good and by pointing it toward the assured ultimate
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