Jaina Philosophy

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

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What is Jainism ?*
The opinions of scholars are divided as to the antiquity of the Jainism faith; many claiming that it is older than Brahminism. Gautama Sakyamuni mentioned Jainism. He said: "I hear that many Jaina monks received hospitality from you, and you must continue to furnish it to them." He spoke to them as Niguntatieless - they have no money; they are homeless wanderers as Jesus was. He would have been called Jaina if he had lived in India.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jaina is generic as Christ; we believe that there is not one Christ but many Christ born in all countries.
Jainism means any person who has conquered passion, and one who follows these principles is called a Jaina.
This philosophy of Jainism is not a monistic theory except in the last analysis. There is nothing in the universe but substance, but there are many kinds of substances. Existence cannot be separated from substance. We are dualists. We say there is spirit and matter, while the positivists, and monists in this country say there is but one substance. Theosophists say spirit and matter are opposite poles of the same substance. We say no; spirit can
*
This lecture contains only notes taken by a pupil while lecturing on the subject.
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