Book Title: Jainism Christianity and Science
Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: The Indian Press Allahabad

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Page 199
________________ SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 187 the side of simplicity, its teaching only means this: believe in yourself; know yourself; manifest yourself! There is nothing more; this is all! On the side of elaboration, it is capable of descending into the utmost minutiæ of rational thought and scientific analysis. The teaching of Jainism is characterized by what is known as relativity of thought, which means the system of diverse and inter-related standpoints. Jainism studies Nature from all possible points of view, and then sums up the results, which are naturally characterized by this relativity of thought. In consequenco of this, Jainism is able to reconcile all systems of religion, theology, and mythology which still contain and adhere to the grain of truth.' The main difference between other religions and Jainism is this, that it is purely a science and that the Jaina records are non-allegorical, whilst the Scriptures of almost all other religions are allegorical. Jainism was founded, and is always founded by Man. As a Science, it is eternal; and Science-like, it is periodically lost and rediscovered. In this cycle of time, it was rediscovered by the first Man who attained salvation, whose name was Rişabha Deva: He was a Jina, which means a conqueror--a conqueror of his lower nature, of matter, of the demons of desires and lusts--and he overcame the world. He it' was rho really taught his disciples : ‘Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. This meant only: ' follow my example, and you will also overcome the world.' The word Jain is taken from 'Jina,' and indicates a follower of the Jina. Jainism is the oldest religion for the aforesaid reason. Whosoever is the first Man to attain salvation is always, in each new cycle of time,

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