Jainism Eternal and Universal Path for Enlightenment

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

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Jainism: The Eternal and Universal path for Enlightenment
an underlying cause. It is the basic law which governs all the processes of Jiva (as well as Ajiva). It implies that a soul is free to act in any way, i.e. has choice of action, it is the karta but is bound by its consequences and can not escape the consequences of its actions, i.e. it is also the bhokta. The effects can not be mitigated in any way. The fate is therefore choiceless. Karmav'd (Chapter 4), besides defining the governing laws for self and interaction of self with matter, in its broader perspective, also includes operative aspects i.e. practices and applications by which one can act in accordance with the law. Because of the practical aspects, it is followed by the Jains rigorously in day to day life. Anek 1ntvid, the theory of non-absolutism, on the other hand is abstract and its basic foundations have not been fully developed. This principle, describing the fundamental nature of matter and jiva will be discussed in some detail in Chapter 3.
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As mentioned above, Jainism is not a religion in the strict sense. Neither it is matter of faith. Nor it is something which 'God' has communicated to the earthlings, through his incarnations or through prophets for removing the misery of the people. It is something beyond religion and faith- it is a path: a path for common people for attaining enlightenment; Enlightenment by their own efforts. It is a difficult path because enormous effort is required to follow it. At the same time it is an easy path because various procedures and landmarks are well defined and the path is clearly charted and one does not have to invent it or depend on some one else for help.
In spite of its originality and antiquity, Jainism is not widely known or accepted. In the eastern philosophy "Dharma" (erroneously considered synonymous with religion) actually implies "true nature" or the "path" in contrast to the western philosophy where it is equated to religion or faith. Jainism is an atheist faith, giving equal importance to the physical world and spiritual thought. We make an attempt here to interpret its basic tenets in the modern context. The purpose of every living being is to discover its true nature and find and follow the "path" of increasing his level of consciousness. Every one has to discover and chart this for himself. It depends on his present state and the best mode to achieve the goal depends on individual's personality. The goal of life is certainly not related to the material well being or economic prosperity only, simply because upon death, which is unavoidable, all the material wealth has to be left here. The material wealth should be a means for achieving higher goals. The only trait which accompanies the soul upon death of physical body is his karmas (Chapter 4). Various religions and faiths in this context serve only as examples of various paths or procedures followed by some others who have accomplished the goal of liberation but each of