Path of Arhat

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Smarak Parshwanath Shodhpitha Varanasi

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The Path of Arhat : A Religious Democracy
with the Vedic culture that there is absolutely no difference between the attitude of a Jaina and a Hindu towards life's problems, individual or social. These attitudes are so identical that unless one tells you that he is a Jaina by religion you cannot make out from his behaviour that he is a non-Hindu by faith.
Our indebtedness to śramanic Culture
At this point of time, after such a huge long gap it is impossible to measure the degree of indebtedness of the compositeculture, to śramanic culture of the indeginous races of India, which we inherit today and are so much proud of. The theory of Karma is basic to the theory of transmigration, Ahimsā, universal love, and the ultimate salvation of the soul. Because of this theory, we keep our personal behaviour and social conduct on the right path. Existence of soul, the theory of Karma, the soul's journey through the cycle of birth and rebirth and its salvation as its final goal are the basic fundamental postulates of all the three Indian philosophies - Hindu, Jaina and Bauddha. And if we consider that all these basic ideas have been adopted principally from those progressive and cultured people of Indus valley civilization, we conquered and captured as 'dasyus' we do become overwhelmed by a mixed sense of shame for us and gratitude for them. The following observations of Sri A. L. Basham?, in his ‘Post script' attached to the article of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on Hinduism, are the most relevant. This observation shows the intensity of the impact which Sramana traditions have made to shape the composite culture of which we as Indians can be legitimately proud. The following are his words :
"The most important religious heritage of India from her ancient past is the doctrine of transmigration ( Sausära )." ... ... "The evidence for the origin of this doctrine is very faint.
1. Basham, A. L. : *Post script', attached to the Article on
Hinduism in Cultural History of India, Oxford, pp. 78-80.