Jainism Eternal and Universal Path for Enlightenment

Author(s): Narendra Bhandari
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

Page 126

Jainism : The Eternal and Universal path for Enlightenment
126
serving manner as is evident in narration of the same historical episodes and facts in the contemporary Jain and Buddhist scriptures which can at times be even contradictory. The weakness of documenters and translators for glorifying their faith and its aggarndisement is evident in these narrations. These erroneous concepts are also glaring in several aspects of Lokavad (Appendix-1). This has resulted in several errors and severe loss of reliability. And in the meantime some aspects which can be proved or disproved by scientific methodology and experiments will help us ascertain if what is described by Jainism is true or not. This calls for a concentrated effort in this direction. It is true that the physical state of a body or the psychological state of mind can be affected by Jain practices, as established by scientific experiments, but can they also affect the spiritual state of the soul (Chapter 6). For this purpose it is necessary to scientifically define the spiritual states, although the elusive soul may not be amenable to scientific enquiry. Having said that, we come back to the same question: what Jainism says is a fact or a philosophy: a philosophy to imbibe for a peaceful life or a fact or truth to embark upon the difficult path for attaining enlightenment. If we believe in Anekantavad of Jainism (Chapter 3) then all the theories described above are partially true, or probably not true or true as well as false, we can not say with certainty. The only way out from this dilemma is to experience them. Since this can not be decided by logic, and can only be proved by experience, we hope that some rigorous practitioners will someday be enlightened and prove it. The point is that one must have full faith in whatever one believes and proceed whole heartedly, without a shade of doubt on that path. This will give meaning and a purpose to life and should lead to enlightenment