________________
the virtuous, unstinted sympathy for those in trouble and tolerance towards those who are perversely inclined." It is needless to say that this verse is a fair illustration of the fact that religious toleration forms an important part of the message that Jainism delivers to the world.
That the Jaincs are broad-minded is borne out by several facts such as their definition of Jainism, their religious toleration and their praising God by the names found in the sacred books of the others. One more fact that I want to lay special stress upon is the means pointed out for achieving salvation by Ratnamandiragani, in his work Upades'aarangini. There he says,
ATSTFETT - fearratrā
न तर्कवादे न च तत्ववादे । न पक्षसेवाऽऽश्रयणेन मुक्तिः
कषायमुक्तिः किल मुक्तिरेव ।।
that it is not by becoming a Digambara or a S'vetambara that Mukti can be attained. Nor is it that Tarka-vada or Tattravada will lead to it. Nor is it obtained by supporting one's own side. But the Mukti really lies in achieving freedom from Kashayas.
The Jaina Acharyas have written commentaries on the works of other religionists and have preserved them in their Bhandaras. What does this point to? The answer can be best given in the words of N. Mironov, Ph. D., ( St. Petersburg, Russia ) who
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
