Jinamanjari 2002 04 No 25

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 59

Jinamasjari, Volume 25, No.1, April 2002
WHAT JAINISM STANDS FOR (?)
Late Dr. Hiralal Jain, Nagpur, India
According to the Jain Puranas there was a time when the whole society of men lived in peace and harmony, without any trouble and without any struggle - a time when every one got what they wanted and satisfied with what they got. There was then no distinction of the ruler and the ruled, the master and the servant, and no idea of thine and mine. As understood in the modern context, there was no religion like we have today. However, the happy state of things was disturbed when the idea of private property and ownership caught the fancy of man.
The harmony of society was then broken and an era of struggle for life and existence, with its consequent warfare and trouble, commenced. It was at this stage that the great teachers of the age preached religion in order to avoid, or at any rate, to control as far as possible the clashes of worldly interests by placing before men certain higher ideals. Thus, according to Jainism, religion originally came into being. Not for safeguarding the future life of men in heaven, but as a measure to keep peace on earth, promote goodwill amongst mankind and inspire hope of a higher life in the individual.
Various systems of religion have grown in the world at different times in different lands. If analyzed closely and intelligently, they will all be found to contain the same truths and the same morals. Differences will be found to exist in some of the details, and it is for this reason that particular aspects of truth are emphasized in one particular manner and not emphasized as such in another. Jainism has attempted a "rapprochement” between these seemingly 'warring systems' by incorporating a vision of understanding that goes under the name of syadvada or anekanta. The doctrine of anekanta draws attention to the fact that there are innumerable qualities in all things and beings, and therefore, there are many sides to every question that may arise.
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