Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

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The Jaina Philosophy He devoted his talk on Jaina philosophy' and 'philosophy and psychology of the Jainas' and talked about the nature of Jaina Tirthankara and the origin of the universe. He said :
Jain philosophy, therefore, is not the doctrine of illusion, nor of emanation, nor of creation. It is rather the doctrine that teaches the inexpugnability of various properties inextricably combined in a thing.
In a brief article 'How to study Jaina Philosophy', he has scientifically discussed the study of Jaina philosophy. For him Jainism means any person who has conquered passion, and one who follows these principles is called a Jaina. He had studied not only Indian philosophy of various hues but had also deeply studied the ancient volumes authored by scholars of ancient disciplines and which were found in Germany and other countries. His style of exposition of abstruse philosophy is simple and lucid.
In his 'The Occult Law of Sacrifice', he has shown five types of 'sacrifices' expected of people. He believes that animals are conscious but humans are self-conscious and this must be reflected in his sense of sacrifice. He puts people into three categories. The lowest are immoral and ignorant. In the middle category are the ones who try to indulge their senses and love to enjoy good food and clothes. Those in the higher class are the ones who spend their time and energy for spiritual good.
The first sacrifice to be made is of the sensual pleasures. The second for the ancestors and parents, the third for the needy and the deprived class, the fourth for the welfare of the animals and the fifth sacrifice is of time, money and energy for study and spiritual benefit. These five types of sacrifices will transform animal man into a true human being, he averred. But unfortunately the sublime law of sacrifice has been misunderstood and people kill dumb animals and resort to meat-eating. The true sacrifice consists in giving up the lower nature, crucifying it on the altar of
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