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STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE
2. There is a cause of suffering. 3. There is cessation of suffering. 4. There is a way to attain it. These darśanas also accept the law of karma which implies optimism and makes man the master of his own destiny. They also hold in common the view that ignorance of reality is the cause of our bondage and sufferings and liberation from these can be achieved only through knowledge of reality, continued meditation on the highest principle and a life of self-control (yoga and samyama); further, these darśanas accept the idea of liberation (moksa, mukti, nirvāna) as the highest goal or aim of life. Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism are the major constituents of Bhāratīya-dharma and Bhāratīyasamskrti and every Bhāratīya ought to be proud of this glorious heritage.
As researchers or investigators into truth we must take note of the attacks on the Vedas, the Brāhmanas, their ceremonialism or ritualism and their institutes of varna and jāti, the recognition of degrading untouchability, their superstitious beliefs, etc. and learn from their perceptive criticism, ignoring polemics but we must always and ever keep at the back of our mind the common thread of cultural unity and spiritualism that runs through these three great religions of Indian origin.
Notes and References : 1. According to some modern scholars Jainism and Buddhism represent a revolt against the
older religion of Brahmanism; the orthodox Jains themselves however assert that their religion is the oldest of all religions, and the religion of the Brāhmanas is merely a
degenerate form of it. 2. Cf. Traigunyavisayā vedā nistraigunyo bhavarjuna - Bhagavadgītā-II-45. 3. Cf. Cāturvarnyam mayā srstam gunakarmavibhāgaśaḥ 1 - Bhagavadgītā-IV-13
And, also Bhagavadgită-XVIII-41. 4. Cf. The author of Suyagadamga assails Brahmanical ritual thus : "If it were true that
perfection or liberation can be attained by ablutions with cold water, then fishes, tortoises and snakes would attain the highest perfections, and if water really washed away the evil deed, then it must needs wash away the good deed also. Brāhmanas assert that perfection or liberation is to be attained by the daily lighting of the fire; if this were true, smiths and artisans of a similar nature would attain the highest
sanctity. ---Süyagada VII-14-16, 18. 5. Cf. "Superior is wisdom-sacrifice (jñāna-yajña) to the sacrifice with objects (dravya
yajña), o harasser of thy foes. All action (karma) without exception, O son of Prthā, is comprehended (or culminates) in wisdom (jñāna).-Bhagavadgītā-IV.33. And, "Of offerings I am the offering of Japa”. (Yajñānām japa-yajño'smi)-Bhagavadgita-X. 25.
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