Outlines of Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: Jain Mission Society Bangalore

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religions but also genuine appreciation of the teachings these enshrine and intelligent recognition of their importance A careful and dispassionate study of other religions and philosophies will show to the devout Jains how fine, how broad and deep are the teachings of Mahavira, who followed in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors, the Noble Tirthankaras who as Warrior Souls taught the great truth of Dharma-Yuddha, the Righteous War, the Greatest of All Wars, perpetually going on in everyone between the man of sin and the Man of Spirit.
(2) The second aspect of that mission is setting the example of truly Peaceful Living to others who are taking the false attitude of the militant religiose. India today sorely needs the synthesizing influence in matters religious and the grand doctrine of "Resist Not Evil,” of Ahimsa or NonViolence, of Gandhiji's Satyagraha or "the Hold of the True." The individual Jain who lives the life of moral and mental Ahimsa, as taught by all the Great Ones, in addition to his physical plane observances, is uplifting not only his own community but also his whole nation.
One of the most practical features of Jain ethics is the reasonable recognition that human beings are at very different stages on the evolutionary journey, which all are making through many lives on earth, and that what is expected of them should be correspondingly graded. Reincarnation, the twin of the doctrine of Karma, is clearly enunciated in Jainism.
Soul-progress calls for a self-imposed discipline very different from the false asceticism of torturing and maiming the body.
The four lines of the perfect square offer to the Jain a model of right living.
“Learn the true road leading to final deliverance (1) Right Knowledge, (2) Faith, (3) Conduct, (4) Austerities.”
Study of the philosophy of the Jinas purities and gives birth to real Faith, without which human conduct can be neither true nor noble. Conduct energized by good desires leads to the Land of the Gods; but the conduct resulting from desirelessness leads to Liberation and for this the fourth step becomes necessary. For all men the first three are requisite; the fourth is especially meant for the aspirant and the devotee.
All Jains are expected to live by certain ethical principles, such as these very significant ones in the Uttaradhyayana Sutra:
He should not speak unasked and asked he should not tell a lie; he should not give way to anger; he should be indifferent to the pleasant and the unpleasant. He should subdue the self so difficult to
subdue. Happiness in this world and the next is his. And one must guard oneseli against the five tormentors of the Soul-- Pride, Sense-enjoyment, Lust, Gossip and Restless Sleep. (Magadhi Shloka).