Jainism and World Problems

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 59

NEED FOR THE JAINA DOCTRINE
peculiarity of these two currents of thought: the upper or surface view in all these religions differs from such views in other religions and agrees not even with one of them fully and completely, not even when the stock is the same, as in Christianity, Judaism and Islam; but the undercurrent is identically the same when properly understood. And more strange still, while the upper thought is always opposed by science and scientific thought, the undercurrent only presents itself in the strictly scientific way; and can be easily reduced to a systematic presentation. In other words, the undercurrent is concerned with a science of religion, while the outer garb is in defiance of it. Thus, according to the undercurrent of thought it is blasphemous impiety, to use the language of Arnobius, to look upon 'God' as a creator, but the outer or surface creed is deemed to maintain the view nevertheless. Now the question to be decided by you, therefore, is: which of these two views, the one which accords with the facts of science or the one which sets them at nought, is acceptable, and true. You must also find a reason for the existence of the undercurrent if the surface view is correct, and for the surface view if the undercurrent be found to be true.
The writers have themselves thrown powerful light on: the situation. The outer view is the effect of the teaching in parables, and allegories. The sense was hidden, and had to be understood. The pearls of wisdom were not to be thrown before the fools and the knaves. The fools are the dogs, and the knaves are termed the swine. You know the text give not the childrens' bread to dogs; and also the one that forbids the casting of pearls before swine. If, then, the pearls were only displayed in secret, it is natural that the outer view be not the true expression of the teaching of these religions.
It has seemed to me that the removal of misunderstandings can be effected easily through Religion. I wish to
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