World of Philosophy

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

Page 612

only. For us it has become more crucial point that while performing prayer, our face should be in the east or in the west, but we have forgotten the purpose of prayer itself. The religion aims at having control over our passions, but unfortunately we are nourishing our passions in the name of religion. Actually, we are fighting for the decoration of the corpse of religion and not caring for its soul. If we want to maintain relgious harmony and ensure peace on the earth, we must always remain aware of the end and essence of the religion, instead of external practices and rituals.
The English word religion is derived from the root 'religio' wihch means 'to unite'. On the basis of its etymological meaning we can say that whatsoever, divides the mankind, instead of uniting it, cannot be a true form of religion. We must be aware of the fact that a religion in its true sense never supports violence, intolerance and fanatical outlook. A true form of religion is one which establishes harmony instead of hostility, affection and kindness instead of hatred.
Blind Faith the Root of Intolerance
Among the causes that generate fanaticism and intolerance, blind faith is the principal; it results from passionate attachment and hence uncritical or "unexamining" outlook. Attachment (Mürcha) according to the Jainas is the cause of bondage. It causes perverse attitude. In Jainism various types of attachments are enumerated. Among them darlanamoha/ drstiraga (blind faith), due to its very nature has been reckoned "paramount", In point of fact, it is considerad as a central element in religious intolerance. It leads one's attitued towards a strong bias for one's own and against other's religion. Non-attachment is therefore considered as pre-condition for the right attitude or perception. A perverse and hence defiled attitude renders it impossible to view the thing rightly just as a person wearing coloured glasses or suffering from jaundice is unable to see the true colour of objects as they are. Attachment and aversion are the two great enemies of philosophical thinking. Truth can reveal itself to an impartial thinkers. Non-attachment, as Jainas hold, is not only essential it is imperative in the search of truth. One who is unbiased and impartial, can perceive the truth of his opponents's ideologies and faiths and thus can possess deference to them. Intense attachment unfailingly generates blind faith in religious leaders, dogmas, doctrines and rituals and consequently religious intolerance and fanaticism.come into existence. The religions which lay more emphasis on faith than reason are narrower and fundamentalist. While the religions according to due impprtance to reason also are more conciliatory and harmonious. It is the' reason or critical outlook which acts as check-post in religious faiths and rituals.
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