________________ THINKERS' HOMAGE 1. In short, believers in the creation theory make God a man, bring him down to the level of need and imperfection; whereas Jainism raises man to Godhood and inspires him to raise himself as near to Godhood as possible by steady faith, right perception, perfect knowledge and, above all, a spotless life. - Dr Mohammad Hafiz, Ph.D, D.Lit. (INDIA) 2. The Gospel of Ahimsa was first deeply and systematically expounded and properly and specially preached by the Jaina Tirthankaras, most prominently by the 24th Tirthankara, the last one, Mahavira Vardhamana. Then again by Lord Buddha. And at last it was embodied in the thoughts, words, deeds and symbolized by the very life of Mahatma Gandhi. - Prof. Tan Yun-shan (CHINA) 3. Whoever in life has attained the proper intuitive knowledge sins no more. He sees like Mahavira, all deities at his feet, and is allknowing. Mahavira's is the (earthy), final stage which the perfect ascetic enters and is also called nirvana (Jivan-Mukti). - Max Weber (GERMANY) 4. Such an ascetic is termed a 'hero' (Vira), that is the sense of the title Mahavira, the great (mahat) hero (vira) which has been bestowed on the Buddha's contemporary, Vardhamana, the 24th Tirthankara. The saint is also termed Jina the "Victor' and his disciples therefore, Jainas, the followers of the Victor. - Dr. Heinrich Zimmer (GERMANY) JAIN VISHVA BHARATI INSTITUTE LADNUN (RAJASTHAN), INDIA
