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N. L. Jain
Nirgrantha
these tendencies. The practical form indicates the path to control these trends rather than eliminate them altogether. That is why it involves devotion, compassion, charity, daily essentials, and sacred activities. This serves as a ladder towards ideal religion. At present, the qualified religions may be called practical religions. It is with respect to these religions that it is said that overall religiosity is increasing in the world which can be verified from the following observed facts27 : 1. The increase in human population in geometrical progression (in contrast to the
concept of rarity of human destinity), thus, physique making karma getting better. 2. The continuous increase in longevity which is proportional to sacredness, and thus,
longevity determining karma seems to be improving. 3. Increase in physical prosperity, comforts, and wealth, all proportional to sacredness;
thus pleasure-producing karma improving. Increase in trends towards more social welfare in the world - a result again
of pleasure-producing karma. 5. Discovering newer vistas of knowledge in fields of medicine, agriculture, etc.
indicating reduction in knowledge-obscuring karma in general. 6. Increase in human sensitivity towards national, international, natural, or accidental
calamities in the world - a sign of improved karma as in (4). 7. Political or social mutation of status-determining karma as is seen in reservation of
jobs, studies, and services. 8. Increasing frequency of consecration-ceremonies, and religious rituals among Jainas
in particular to earn sacredness and to forego some attachment towards wealth
indicating reduction in deluding karma. 9. Possible synthesis of living cells in laboratories, a sign of improved knowledge
obscuring karma and conation-obscuring karma too. 10. Increase in family planning methods indicating a reduction in obstructive and
deluding karmas. These facts are undoubtedly increasing the overall pleasure in the world. Nevertheless, it is also clear that the individual religiosity is fast getting down. This problem has attracted the attention in our age and many positive steps are being taken to improve the situation. Per chance, Jainism visualised the above two forms of religion since the very beginning. Kundakunda became the most prominent exponent of this reality. This strengthened the relationship between the two forms. This fact has been one of the important factor in effective enlivening of Jainism even in absence of royal patronage. This point also confirms the scientific nature of this religion. Jainism - A World Religion : The world has a majority of followers of propounder-qualified religions. According to them, these religions qualify to become world religion because of having (a) one founder (b) one sacred text and (c) concept of supremacy. Though Jainism does not qualify for
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