Jainism Some Essays

Author(s): A S Gopani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Jainism
order to explain that this whole universe is evolved from this supreme element or taking this supreme element as the basis or on account of this elément, many systems of thought owning their origin or allegiance from and to the Vedas have later grown up and developed, faithful adherence to the principle of one supreme element has remained in all of them, constant and common.
In contrast to this, no such supreme element as a cause of this universe has been accepted as a hypothesis in the Śramanic ideology. It postulates a theory that this universe has neither beginning nor end and for its existence all the beings themselves and no body else, are accountable. In other words, there exist many elements, and not one only. from time immemorial. There is, thus, no necessity for the worship of that one element as the creator of the universe.
According to the traditions having their origin in the Vedas, the beings separated from that supreme element are again absorbed into it by it if at all they have won its grace. This means that it is but natural that the beings should worship the supreme element in order to attain the status of that supreme element. But, as there is no such hypothesis in the Śramanic ideology, there is no question of the beings getting merged into or becoming united with the supreme element. The Śramanic ideology rejects the Vedic theory of one supreme element but the contingency arising therefrom is successfully met with by it by postulating a theory that the wheel of this worldly existence which is eternally moving should be stopped from moving and an effort should be made in this direction. Herein lies the fulfilment. A person that has put forth such an endeavour secures the status of an ideal person. If any other person follows in the footsteps of such an exalted person, it should be understood that he merely imitates him.
The idea or element of worship got entry into the Śramanic ideology, as a result of the innate instinct in the Sar manas as it is in anybody else, to copy the Brahmaņas. But the essential approach being different in the Śramanic ideology, the element of worship in it has remained one-sided. The object of worship is not able to do anything for the subject. That object of worship is only the highest symbol for the subject, the worshipperkeeping the object before him, decides his way. other words it is no worship at all. Despite this, the pompous and the place which the temples and images have got in the Śramanic ideology just as in the Brahmanic one, is to be thought of as relating to its external, and not the internal form. This can also be explained that the mode or method of
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