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The Jains through Time
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developed and elevated despite having only thinking, that our perception of the truth a few scriptures. The thought and vision will be unhindered and independent. Until required for spiritual development are both such times as we get rid of our old awakened from within. The more flexible prejudices and the obstructions to our and free one's attitude towards truth is, the vision built by blind faith, we will not be more soul-orientated one's thinking, the able to make the right decisions. Present greater will be one's spiritual development circumstances demand that we break free of
bigotry and begin to think in new ways. In I have found that a prejudice for, a sort of this quest, our own wisdom is the lust for scriptures and other holy books, has touchstone. Tirthankar Mahavir and been formed in our minds. Warning against Ganadhar Gautam, who themselves were such bigotry, Acharya Shankar says in the ardent seekers and seers of the truth, have Vivekchudamani : "Lust for the scriptures, like both made it clear that your own wisdom is the lust for physical pleasures and the lust the only yardstick against which you can for worldly honour will bar one from measure the real truth, saying : pannā attaining real knowledge.' Acharya Samikkhaē dhammam 2 - religion or the Hemchandra adds: drstirägastu pāpiyān intrinsic truth can be analysed only through durucchēdyah satāmapi - achieving the truth wisdom, and truth can be judged only by is almost impossible for anyone whose the means of wisdom. passions obstruct his perception.'
Evaluation of the Scriptures Every now and then, we talk about anekant, The only method by which the scriptures (the doctrine of manifold aspects), and can be truly examined is through the syadvad (the doctrine of qualified assertion). application of wisdom, and all scriptures These should not remain mere slogans like should be subjected to its scrutiny. We have those used by contemporary politicians. many companions who fear that such an They should so become part of our examination will reveal that much of our
$ Utaradhyayan-Str. 23/25
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