Nandanvana

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 27

Definition of Religion and Jainism
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Many earlier dictionaries mentioned religion as a term indicating faith in God. This meaning has changed. There may be, like Jainism and Buddhism, Godless religions too. The scholars have guessed about the primal circumstances under which religion or its concepts were developed. Now, the derivative meaning of the term is being expanded with reference to modern context. The grammatically formed Sanskrit term Dharma (or religion) is being redefined as carrier of society or public welfare or 'welfare activity or activator itself. "The English synonym religion (of Greek origin) is now defined as 'combination or socialisation' and 'as a set of behaviours leading to those processes.' Thus, the basic concept regarding religion in east and west has gone nearly equivalent. Not only that, the current definition seems turned towards canonical one leading to the guess that the Jaina canonists were also modernists or scientists, a great credit for them. According to the new-age thinking, the religion originated because of immense desire for socialization. co-ordination and unification among human beings. The above definition satisfies this objective. Moreover, this also overlooks the superhuman element in religion and it is thus acceptable to theists and atheists alike. It has no place for sectarianism, conservatism, and terrific activism.
In early days, the concept of coordinated form of religion was taken as a form of belief and stability. Four factors are mentioned for the success of any belief system: (a) concept of psychological protection through superhuman element; (b) conception about ideal life and social structure; (c) development of innate nature towards ethical duties; and (d) feeling of inner energy'. The belief is said to be a definite process or knowledge, which is a long-timed activity. In fact, the belief nurtures the religious attitude. The past has shown that the inertia of belief has generated obstructions to proper progress" However, the scientific age has a liking towards right, rational, and dynamic belief. The current age has given sufficient universality to this definition of religion. Its sphere has involved the nations and the world as a whole besides the individual and society. This has become more public welfare-oriented in terms of its ten forms as stated in the Sthānānga". Thus, religion cannot be qualified with any adjective. The religious behaviour increases the auspicity of physical, psychological, social, philosophical, and spiritual aspects of human