Service of Jainism to India

Author(s): J S Shah, U H Jain
Publisher: J S Shah, U H Jain

Page 15

of a truth and a path which have been taught in
the same manner by all teachers of his everpresenta
imperishable tradition. Each Jina reanimates this
tradition for the benefit of succeeding generations.
The teachings are neither received through devine
revelation nor manifested through some inherent
magical power (as, for instance, the Vedas are
alleged to be ).
It is the individual human soul.
itself which, aided by the earlier teachings, COME
to know the truth. Strictly speaking, then
worshipping or following the teachings of a
particular Jina has no special significance;
nothing new is taught, and the path remains always
the same. Even so, it is natural that those teachers
who most immediately precede the present agr would
be remembered more readily.. Thus we find that
the last few Jinas - Nemi, Parsva, and especially
Mahavira, final teacher of the current timel cycle