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7
JAINA SYMBOLISM
Science of Symbolism
Before proceeding with the illustrative part of the lecture I shall say something generally on the science of symbolism. The ordinary idea of the Western scholars, with regard to symbols and mythical writings, is that the origin of these things is due to the primitive state of the human mind, that people began as children, in the beginning they formed their thoughts on pictures, and, later on, came to abstract ideas. Really speaking, this theory has no basis in fact. There cannot be any nation which gives pictures, unless they have a clear idea formed of them. Therefore, the idea comes first, then they illustrate it by the pictures and symbols. Reasons for Using Symbols
There are reasons for using symbols. Why should they not use ordinary sentences in order to convey the higher truths or deeper sciences ? I think there are four reasons. One reason is that there are many deeper truths which ought not to be thrown away, as we say pearls should not be thrown to swine. There are many who do not appreciate these truths, and therefore they should be stated in symbolic language. So secrecy is the first reason. The second reason is that if they are expressed in ordinary language, certain perople might get hold of them and use them for injuring other people, and themselves also. So protection is the second reason. The third reason is permanency. If anything is expressed in ordinary language, after a certain time we are liable to forget it, but if it is in the form of a picture we can remember it longer. The fourth reason is that the effect produced by the symbol is more intense than the impression made by ordinary language. These are the four reasons for mystical words and symbols.
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