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JAINISM
materialistic atheism which affirms that life and consciousness are the outcome of the massing and activity of material atoms, to be dissipated at death; but for those who find neither of these theories satisfactory there is the theory roughly outlined in this book, a theory which neither denies the existence of the soul, nor starts with the presupposition of a Creator; but makes each individual the master of his own destiny, holds out immortality for every living being, and insists upon the very highest rectitude of life, up to final perfection, as a necessary means to permanent happiness now and hereafter.
The belief into which we happen to be born is the one which is generally adopted until, through questioning, criticism, and reconstruction it is replaced by the development of a better understanding. At the first disturbance of one's unquestioned beliefs there arises the enquiry, --Whom are we to believe? Of all the possible living beings, visible or invisible, whose word can we trust to be the truth? If we answer, God's word, it raises the question: What are the characteristics possessed by the Deity by which we know or believe that his word is the truth? If we do not know these characteristics we may believe the words of an arbitrary and tyrannical law giver. The only possible source of teaching, whether spoken, written, or inspired, is knowledge. And whoever the authority may be, if he has not true knowledge he cannot give true teaching. It is the opinion of Jainism that only that knowledge is true which is purged of the infatuating elements of anger, hatred, or other passion; that only he who is all-knowing is able to map out the
path of rectitude which shall lead to final beatitude in Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
