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The scientific process is in complete agreement with the three jewels of Jainism (RATNATRAYA ). These are the proper perspective (SAMYAK DARŠANA ), the proper knowledge (SAMYAK JNĀNA) and the proper lifestyle ( SAMYAK CARITRA ).1 The proper perspective involves observing and studying nature-living and non-living, with a view point without any bias. However, this does not preclude the study of religion, Philosophy and science. After a careful observation and thought comes the proper knowledge. 2
This does not necessarily imply knowing what is written in the holy books or accepting what is preached by a learned person. The third jewel in the life of a Jain is adopting the proper life-style. This involves living in harmony with the fellow beings and with nature. It should be emphasized that the proper way of living does not end with such religious activities as worshiping, praying, chanting, listening to sermons, studying religious books, etc. On the other hand, indulging in these religious activities is undesirable if it is done with an intent of show, pride, greed of material comforts in this life or desires of comforts in after-life, The proper way of living involves being at peace with oneself and with one's environment. In fact, all religious activities are just as essential for learning and adopting the proper life-style as schooling is for career development.
It is obvious that the proper life-style entails minimizing violence of one's own feelings and violence towards other living beings. Thus non-violence is said to be the supreme religion. Further, telling a lie, stealing, wasting natural resources, etc., entail violence of self and of other beings. Therefore, practice of non-violence requires being truthful, non-stealing and avoiding the acquisition of unnecessary materials. The Theory of Karma and the Scientific view of natural Phenomena
According to modern science, all natural phenomena involve interactions between matter and energy. Water from rivers and oceans is evaporated by the rays of the sun. The water vaporises, clouds are formed and it rains. Thus rain is the result of the interactions between solar energy, water, atmospheric particles, wind etc. Such interactions take place because of the intrinsic properties of matter and energy. Charcoal burns because atoms of carbon have the capability of combining with atoms of oxygen. There is repulsion between similar electrical charges and attraction between dissimilar electrical charges. Therefore, a proton attracts an electron. The electronic circuit in a radio receiver detects the radiowaves, amplifies and rectifies them, and, converts electromagnetic energy into sound energy. On the microscopic scale, matter (atoms, electrons, etc.) and energy (electromagnetic waves) possess certain attributes. Consequently, on the gross scale, the components of the radio receiver and radiowaves exhibit some specific properties which are responsible for the working of a radio set. These are examples of interactions between matter and energy. The Karma theory deals with the interactions between soul and ultramicroscopic particles of matter.
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