Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

Author(s): Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 24

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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
both the philosophies have repudiated the said classification. Candrakīrti had clarified in his “Madhyamika-vịtti' that Buddhism is not atheistic. Jainas feel offended and get exasperated for the word atheist labeled to them.
Dr. Puran Chand Nahar,27 in his book “An Epitome of Jainism' explained to the inquiry- "Are Jains atheist?” No’, is the emphatic answer to the enquirer. The Jains do believe in a God after their own way of thinking- a belief which is in and through saturated with all the vigour and strength of life. It does not make us dependent on any almighty ruler for our being and beatitude here or hereinafter. It does not cast us into moulds of those weaklings who love to creep with a quivering prayer on their lips to the silent doors of Deity; nor of those who crawl, beating breast at every step before his fictitious feet or figure to adore. Rather it makes us feel that we are independent autonomous individuals who can curve out paths for ourselves here and herein-after, both for enjoyment of pleasure and emancipation of our souls by our own will and exertion."
Vedic scholars classified Indian philosophy in two parts, āstika and nāstika, and included Jainism along with Buddhism and Cārvāka in nāstika category. This classification is supported by eminent scholars like Mādhavācārya in his ‘Sarvadarśana-sangraha’ and Madhusūdana Sarasvati in his ‘Prasthānabheda'. And, since then it has become customary who so ever Indian or European scholars to repeat or carry on with this classification in their work, naming Jainism as nāstika philosophy, which of course in day to day language or in colloquial English language translated as disbeliever in God.
Most of the western philosopher labeled Jainism as an atheist religion without pre-researching what Jainism is. Exception to this gross erroneous comparison is Sir Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the most
2'Dr. Puran Chand Nahar, “Jainism Precepts and Practice (An Epitome of Jainism)” Vol. I, Calcutta, 1917,P-260