World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 611

opinion, the lack of the true knowledge and understanding of the real nature and purpose of religion is prime. By religion generally we mean to have some uncritical beliefs in supernatural powers and performance of certain rituals as prescribed in our religious texts, but it is not the true and whole purpose of religion. Haribhadra in his work Sambodha Prakarana' (1/1) clearly remarks that the people talk about the path i.e. religion but they do not know that what is the path or religion in its true sense. In the famous Jainatext, Kārtikcyānuprekśā(41&), dharma (religion) is defined as the real nature of the things. If it is so, then question arises what is the real nature of human being? In a Jaina text known as Bhagavati Sūtra (I/ 9), it is clearly mentioned that the nature and ultimate end of the soul is equanimity. Lord Mahāvira has given two definitions of religion. In Ācārānga Sūtra (1/8/4) he says "worthy people preach that the religion is mental equanimity” Equanimity is considered as the core or essence of religion, because it is the real nature or essence of all the living beings, including human beings also. Equanimity is the state in wihich consciousness is completely free from constant flickering, excitements and emotional disorders and mind becomes pacific. It is the core of religion. Haribhadra says whether a person is a Svetāmbara or aDigambara or a B auddha or belongs to any other religion, whosoever attains equanimity of mind, will attain the liberation (Sainbodha Prakarana, 1/2).
Thus, the attainment as equanimity or relaxation from tensions is the essence of religions. Secondly, when we talk of social or behavioural aspect of religion, it is nothing but the observance of non-violence. In Ācārānga, (1/4/1) Lord Mahāvira propounds, “The worthy man of the past, present and the future will say thus, speak thus, declare thus, explain thus, all breathing, existing, living and sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented” This is the pure, eternal and unchangeable law or the tenet of religion.
Acārya Haribhadra maintains that performance of rituals is only the external form of religion. In its real sense religion means the eradication of passions and lust for material enjoyments as well as the realization of one's own real nature. Thus, for Jainas the true nature and purpose of religion is to attain equanimity and peace in individual as well as in social life. Whatsoever disturbs equanimity and social peace and spreads hostility and violence is not a true form of religion, instead it is Saitana in the cloak of religion. But now-a-days, the essence of religion have been shoved into the background and dogmatism, uncritical faith and performance of certain reUials have got precedence. Thus, we have forgotten the end or essence of religion and stuck to the means
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