Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 44

"Aside from those who have renounced, there are Yaties (renegade monks), who have assumed per force the position of defenders of Lord Mahävir's path. There hardly remains anything to be said about their style of spreading the path. The laymen observe at least minor restraints, but those Yaties remain above all restraints like Lord Tirthankars.
"There are very few research-minded people. There are fewer, who are desirous of liberation and have been striving for that purpose. It is very hard for them to get access to the means like true Guru, contact with saints and right scriptures. Wherever you go, everyone sings his own tune. No one asks whether that is right or wrong. If someone inquires, they counter him with wrong concepts. Thereby they augment the length of their worldly life and become instrumental in augmenting that of others.
"As if this is not enough, if there happens to be a research oriented person, he would remain involved in doubts pertaining to the earth and such other purposeless subjects.
"Hereby I do not mean to say that there is no one at present resorting to Jainism. There are some, but they are very, very few; hardly enough to be counted with finger tips. One feels compassionate to see the present state of Jainism. If you think over, you will be convinced of what I am saying.
"Some of those opinions relate to very simple matters. The main disputable point is that one believes in idols and the other simply negates that.
"Earlier I was also counted within the latter group. While mentioning that my earnest desire is to resort to commands of the detached Lords, let me indicate for the sake of truth that the former opinion is right. Idol of the omniscient Lord and its worship are in accordance with scriptures, evidence as well as experience and it is worth experiencing. Presenting the way I learnt it or the way my doubt in that matter was removed, would be helpful to others in thinking over it. If idol worship can be seen as beyond reproach, the difference of opinion in that respect would give way. That being helpful in extending the right knowledge, I am giving in brief the evidences for worshipping the idols....
"It should be borne in mind that tradition, experience etc. are helpful in collaborating the contents of scriptures. If you want, I can refute the entire Jain belief with the help of wrong logic, but that is not worth doing. When truth is seen by proper evidence or by experience, the truth-seekers give up their contention, however strong that may be.
"If this major dispute might not have arisen this time, it would have been easier for the sensible people to observe religion....
"It is not due to any partisan approach that I now believe in idol, whereas I did not do so earlier. I believe because I am convinced of it. Not to admit that in spite of the evidence would not be helpful even to the former approach, nor can it lead to right observance.
"I am not concerned with this or that opinion; I have the strong desire to stay beyond craving and aversion. I believe in getting and resorting to the means helpful in that respect. For that I have the absolute faith in the words of Lord Mahävir.
"The scriptures do not state that an entire community subscribing to any religion will attain liberation. What they intend to convey is that he, who resorts to the essence of religion, will attain that. As such, it is first necessary to orient the soul accordingly. Idol is one of the means. It should not be refuted without getting the evident experience.
"If you believe in idol, it is worth using it for the objective laid by the omniscient Lords. If you are an opponent of idol, think over these evidences in right perspective. Neither of them should see me as a friend or a foe. The book should be read as written by someone.