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From the Series 'Studies in Jainism' (Available from the Jain Study Circle) |
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Volume 29, Number 3
Editorial Advisers:
Manish Y. Modi
(Mumbai), Richa Jain,
Sunita Jain, Rashmi Jain, Brian Jain, Brittany Jain,
Ranita Jain, Sean D. DeWitt and Dr. Chandrakant P.
Shah
Glimpses of the July 2008 Issue
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Quotations from scriptures: Enjoy the logical and systematic presentation of the sophisticated features of the Jain concept of reality presented by Acharya Umasvati in TATTVAARTH SUTRA. |
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In the present aphorism, the insightful acharya underscores that all transformations of an entity occur according to its innate nature or characteristics. In plain words, all the entities and their modifications (events in the universe) are guided by the laws of nature. This obviates the need for any supreme being who creates or regulates the things and events in the universe. In Jainism, there is no room for any magical or miraculous events. Everything transforms according to the laws of nature. This reflects the scientific nature of the Jain concept of reality. |
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The present article is based on Dr. Mahendra Kumar Jain Nyayacharya's celebrated work 'JAIN DARSHAN'. It attempts to resolve the dilemma between 'free will' and destiny in the light of the Jain concept of reality. |
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('Free Will' or Destiny) Compiled by Duli Chandra Jain Dr. S. Radhakrishnan argues, "The same rule of law and scientific principles recognized in nature must also be recognized in mind and morals. He argues further that the theory of Karma, properly understood, is not a theory of predestination, but rather a theory that is completely consistent with the causal laws of the universe." These assertions conform to the Jain concept of universe and aspects of reality (TATTVAs). |
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A Gem From The April 1983 Issue: Insightful and novel views of a visionary! |
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by Ahamindra Jain Well, I can honestly say that I do not feel that my religion is 'better' than anyone else's. But I do not think that this makes me any less of a believer in its principles. On the contrary, I think that this is one aspect of practicing Jainism: to respect the beliefs of others and to appreciate their good deeds without regard to any motivations. Indeed, this is one of the things that I like about Jainism; this 'freedom' it gives its followers, the understanding it promotes and the love of mankind it thereby fosters. |
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A Gem From January 1993 Issue: Siddhantacharya Kailash Chandra Shastri brings out the difference between the Jain concept of nonviolence and the normally perceived meaning of nonviolence. |
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English adaptation of portions from Thus the concept of nonviolence is quite complicated, because, in Jainism, violence depends on the thoughts and feelings of the individual and not on the result of the individual's actions. Unscrupulous mental activity constitutes violence while absence of improper mental activity (attachment and aversion) is nonviolence. The above concept of nonviolence is a unique contribution of the Jain religion because it eliminates the root cause of violence by purifying the thoughts and feelings of individuals and impels the society to adopt nonviolence. |
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From Religious Books: In the present article, Dr. Rajendra Kumar Bansal brings out certain unique features of Jainism. |
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by Dr. Rajendra Kumar Bansal Amicability and religious tolerance: Those who believe in reality never feel hostility toward others. An important aspect of physical and mental nonviolence is amicability and religious tolerance. All great religious personalities of the world, including Bhagwaan Mahaveer, emphasized religious tolerance and amity for promoting spiritual development and goodwill in society. Mahaveer did not depreciate any personality or religion. |
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A Gem From October 1983 Issue: |
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Truth is like the fire at the heart of a many-faced jewel. Each angle shows a different aspect and a different color. Imperfect as we are, we can see truth only in fragments and act according to our limited vision. I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any. |
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A Gem From October 1982 Issue: |
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by Duli Chandra Jain We should not accept any idea just because it is old or new, Eastern or Western, or, followed by our peers and superiors. We should be discriminating, logical and thoughtful. We should dislike the undesirable actions and not the person or persons who commit them. We should not take revenge. |
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Observations & Views: Please enjoy the articles presented in this column: |
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(Non-possessiveness In Western Thought) Alain de Botton writes, "The advantages of two thousand years of Western civilization are familiar enough: an extraordinary increase in wealth, in food supply, in scientific knowledge, in consumer goods, in physical security, in life expectancy and economic opportunity. What is perhaps less apparent and more perplexing is the way that such impressive material advances may have gone hand in hand with a phenomenon: … a rise in levels of status anxiety among ordinary Western citizens, by which is meant a rise in levels of concern about importance, achievement and income." Scenarios From Ancient History (Who Discovered America?) An interesting article by Ricardo Palleres entitled 'Who Discovered America?' is posted on the website www.archaeologyonline.net. In the article, the author raises the questions: "What if Europe was really in darkness in comparison to the Far East and India that Columbus set sail to find? … What if Hindus and Hopis, Advaitins and Aztecs, Tibetan monks and Mayans were part of one world culture -- a spiritual one?" |
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Readers' Comments |
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Kan Mehta, Pompano Beach, FL Few years ago, I used to receive JSC. We have moved for last three years and do not receive anymore! Just reading one of the old issues and realize how much I missed it! Few Questions: I found out that you send out e-JSC now. This is very welcome. Do you archive the old issues so that we can access some old articles we may have need for? My congratulations to the Editors, Contributors and BOD of JSC. Please keep up the good work. Place our email to the list of subscribers. Joel Bjorling (by e-mail) The two Jain books (Studies In Jainism) came today. I want to thank you for them. I liked that many of the articles were written in a dialogue format, which made them easy to understand. I especially liked the article on Jain meditation. I've been a meditator and it usually involves setting aside time to doing it, yet Jain meditation seems to be further reaching. Good, bad, as well as spiritual thoughts are equally meditation. I hadn't thought of it that way, but it does motivate us to think about what we think! Do you have other materials in planning? Thanks again. DCJ: Individuals like you keep the Jain Study Circular going. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please send us an e-mail if you wish to participate in the process of editing the Jain Study Circular. You can e-mail us at jainstudycircular@earthlink.net Thank you |
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From the Jain Study Circle: |
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The Jain Study Circle will continue to publish the Jain Study Circular on our website, www.jainstudy.org. If you would like to be informed when a new issue is posted on our website, please send us your e-mail address at jainstudycircular@earthlink.net We will use your e-mail address only for providing information to you about the Jain Study Circular. Please write to the Jain Study Circle if you want any portion of your subscription to be refunded to you. We are grateful to our readers, writers, friends and contributors for their support. We greatly appreciate all readers who have responded to the Jain Study Circular Survey 2006. Above all, we are grateful to the office bearers and volunteers of the Jain Study Circle who will continue to share the responsibility of the publication of the Jain Study Circular. Complimentary copies of Studies in Jainism are available |