________________
( 28 )
theory of forgiveness, since the natural law of Karman is unerring and self-acting and is the finest illustration of the theory of cause and effect. It teaches that the man is the architect of his own fortune and gives a pleasing satisfaction to those who are enjoying a happy life by reminding them that they reap the fruits of the good seeds they had down. It inspires a man with the principle of plain living and high thinking. It deals a fatal blow to the indolent and humiliating fatalism, It removes all cause for complaint against the unequal distribution of good and bad in the world and sweeps away at one stroke the teachings such as “Be good, and God will take you to the kingdom of heaven; and if you are wicked, you will be sent to hell. ” It preaches a noble sermon that even the highest of aspirations may be crowned with success through fortitude and meritorious deeds. It gives comfort and consolation to those that are in dark despair by giving hopes that they will have a bright future for the good deeds they have done and they are doing, though they suffer now for some evil deeds they must have committed in a previous existence. It does not endorse such a belief that this earthly life is a punishment for sins committed by our “ first parents " and the pessimistic view that this world is a yale of tears. With full confidence and correctness, it teaches that all the dark phenomena of life are the outcome of Kashayas, ignorauce, delusion, malice and indolence of each individual and that all that is
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
