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"A PHILOSOPHY FOR LIFE"
(From a talk delivered by Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu
April, 1978–Fordham University)
Jainism is a school of philosophy, a religion and a way of life, but its main emphasis is on living. The word used in the scriptures to describe the aim of Jainism is darshan. Darshan is to see, and what is seen with the inner reality is called darshan. It is not only religion or philosophy it is not only thinking, it .. seeing. And when you see, you cannot help but practice, you live the principles. ?
The foundation of the teaching is practice-how you conquer your inner enemies and follow only that person who has conquered herself or himself. Not one who only talks or explains or promises, but he or she who realised and lives the teaching. You can see from his life that he is living in a balanced state, in harmony with life. There are no fluctuations, no ups and downs.
This Jain philosophy is very ancient. Many people think that it started with Mahavira, around 600 B.C., but that is not true. He was the last prophet of Jainism. Two hundred fifty years before Mahavira there was another Tirthankara named Parshvanath, who was
Philosophy means love for thinking. Herman Hesse was also not happy with this word, so he coined a new word, philosia, which means love of seeing rather than love of thinking. Hesse's new coined world philosia came from darshana.
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