Jain Religious Traditon

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text on "The Jain Religious Tradition" by S.L. Gandhi:

The Jain religious tradition, as explained by S.L. Gandhi, is fundamentally rooted in ahimsa (nonviolence). This principle is meticulously observed in thought, word, and deed, explicitly forbidding coercion, intolerance, possessiveness, untruth, and lustful desires. It's a path of peace and purity, even disallowing violence in self-defense, and entirely rejects revenge and hatred. Jainism champions tolerance towards those with differing views or modes of worship, recognizing diversity as natural and advocating a "live and let live" philosophy. It views other traditions with respect, considering disparagement or ridicule a grave sin.

Key tenets and characteristics highlighted:

• Ancient Origins and Tirthankaras: Jainism is one of the most ancient traditions, dating back to the dawn of human civilization. It follows the teachings of 24 Tirthankaras, spiritual leaders or "ford-builders," the last being Lord Mahavira, a contemporary of Lord Buddha.
• History Sans Blood: A unique aspect of Jainism is its history devoid of violence or conflict for religious protection or expansion. Jains have never engaged in warfare for their faith.
• Emphasis on Right Knowledge, Perception, and Character: The tradition emphasizes "samyak gyan" (right knowledge), "samyak darshan" (right perception/philosophy), and "samyak charitra" (right character).
• Universal Friendship and Compassion: Jainism advocates friendship towards all living creatures, including animals, birds, insects, and even plants and vegetation, all of which are believed to possess souls (jiva). This compassion extends to the smallest microbes in the air.
• The Festival of Samvatsari: The holiest day for Jains is Samvatsari, a day of fasting and abstaining from all forms of violence, culminating in a day of forgiveness (Kshama), where Jains seek and offer forgiveness to all beings.
• Conquest of Self: Lord Mahavira's teachings emphasize the superiority of self-conquest over defeating external foes, a sentiment echoed by Jesus Christ.
• Vegetarianism: Reflecting the belief in the equality of all living beings and their right to life, most Jains adhere to vegetarianism.
• Anekantavada and Syadvada: These are crucial philosophical principles that underpin Jainism's interreligious tolerance.
  • Anekantavada (Truth is many-sided): This doctrine posits that an object has infinite characteristics and can be perceived from multiple viewpoints.
  • Syadvada: This is the method of propounding Anekantavada, stating that a facet of truth should not be mistaken for the complete truth. It uses the word "syat" (it may be, may not be, or may also be) to acknowledge the relativity of knowledge and perspectives. This encourages dialogue and understanding rather than outright pronouncements of truth or falsehood.
• The Elephant Parable: This parable illustrates Anekantavada, showing how blind men touching different parts of an elephant perceive it differently, with each partial perception being correct but incomplete. This highlights the need to avoid quarrels over divergent views and respect individual perceptions.
• Conquering Desires: True perception of the entire truth is achieved by conquering desires (kama, krodh, maan, lobh) and attaining a state of omniscience (Kevalya).
• The Navkar Mantra: This sacred Jain text, which pays obeisance to pure souls regardless of their faith, demonstrates the tradition's commitment to transcending sectarian boundaries and its openness to interfaith dialogue. The last line, bowing to "any pure soul," is presented as a testament to this.
• Salvation is Universal: Jainism believes that any person, regardless of their religious affiliation, can attain salvation (mukti or emancipation) through purity of being, not necessarily by becoming a Jain.
• Aparigrah (Non-possession): This principle, along with ahimsa, promotes interreligious amity. Renunciation and detachment from possessions are highly valued, with ascetics renouncing wealth and belongings. This principle aims to end class struggle and resource conflicts.
• Developing Cross-Traditional Tolerance: The author suggests fostering interreligious tolerance through:
  • Creating a friendly environment and breaking down isolation between religious groups.
  • Encouraging interaction, dispelling ignorance and misunderstanding.
  • Adopting a changed outlook on religious beliefs.
  • Practicing the ethic of tolerance inherent in major religions.
  • Holding frequent interfaith meetings.
  • Religious leaders pledging to a moral code of mutual respect and non-interference.
• The Anuvrat Movement: Initiated by Acharya Tulsi, this movement encourages individuals to rise above sectarianism by accepting small vows, fostering reconciliation, dialogue, and friendship. It is presented as a tool for interreligious harmony.

In essence, the text portrays Jainism as a deeply principled tradition that prioritizes nonviolence, tolerance, and universal compassion. Its philosophical underpinnings, particularly Anekantavada, naturally foster interreligious dialogue and understanding, making it an ideal platform for cross-traditional respect and spiritual awareness. The author concludes by hoping for wider recognition of Jainism's unique features and support for movements like Anuvrat, which can contribute to a nonviolent world order.