________________
Jainism: The Cosmic Vision
one hand it gives rest to the heart and on the other it purifies the blood without any medicines." Further, fasting also reduces the extent of evil designs, desires and inclinations.
Jain religion also glorifies the cult of vegetarianism. These days vegetarianism is spreading fast in the West and it has been adopted by many artists, actors and the likes on a large scale. Vegetarianism is the corner stone of the Jain religion.
Today when heart diseases, blood pressure and such other dreaded things are fast spreading, vegetarianism can be of great help. It is necessary to examine dietetics afresh from the scientific point of view. In the ancient times, it was based on spiritual thinking, now it is based on experiments as is the case with all natural sciences.
Experiments can be repeated and adopted by each other, while experiences cannot be. Today in the US, the doctors advise taking food before sunset. This has been mentioned in our ancient scriptures. The movement of the atom, the origin of language, communication through the oral media – all were considered then. The system and practice of meditation and contemplation of the ancient times could cure physical and mental diseases of man. The experiments based on Prekshadhyan are the best examples of it.
For peace to the mind Pachhakhan, for high level meditation Kausagga, for introspection Pratikramana, for inner purification Paryushan, for bravery and gallantry the feeling of forbearance - it is only when these are practiced in the world that we can get a vibrant man of tomorrow. When Henry Thoreau, the American thinker, held a man by his hand, the latter started crying. Because the touch of the hand was felt by the other as a piece of dead wood, lifeless.
Jain Education International
42
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
