Jaganmohanlal Pandita Sadhuwad Granth

Author(s): Sudarshanlal Jain
Publisher: Jaganmohanlal Shastri Sadhuwad Samiti Jabalpur

Page 173

२४ पं. जगन्मोहनलाल साधुवाद ग्रन्थ
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situation (Kshetra), time (KALA) and intention (Bhava). The right or wrong depends on our view point and circumstances. Sometimes mere chance or a turn of events beyond our control may determine the course of events in our lives.
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Question : Does religion have a place in our lives? In society?
The great Jain poet, Daulatram, in Chhahadhala has written, “All living beings of the universe want happiness and they are scared of suffering.“5 Religion is supposed to show us the path to happiness. There are conflicts of interests. There is proverty, discrimination and hatred that lead to dissatisfaction and crime. In many cases, greed and selfishness lead to crime. The legal system and the so-called fight against crime are failing. We keep on putting better and better locks, and, people keep on devising more and more ingenious methods of breaking those locks. There is hunger and disease in the world. There is the threat of nuclear holocaust. Evidently, we can use religion in our lives. On en individual basis, we can keep our cool in the face of all these problems. Further, each one of us can make a contribution towards resolving the conflicts of interests in the society. We can look at the situation from others' viewpoints and help each other. This represents the positive aspect.
Now, let us look at the other side of the coin. Writing about the various religions in his Ecck "Jainism", Vividus has stated, “No one system has commanded universal acceptance, though every system claims this position." This is the story of Jains against Hircus, Moslems against Christians, Sikhs against Hindus, Digambars ag Etc. If we say that this is the truth, Mahavir is the only one to follow, Namokar Mantra is the mantra, then we are taking a one-sided view. We are abandoning relativism. We may be hurting other's feelings and committing violence. Most followers of religion take such a cne-sided view of religion. Further, in pursuit of their religion, many times they act like gieedy businessmen who wish to sell their one-sided view. This is the negative aspect of religious practice.
Does this mean that we should give up all religions? Lose our identity? Become atheists or agnostics? In my view, the answer to these questions is a definite "No". A compromise is the solution. We should respect all religions. We should accept what is good in all religions. This is what relativism means. I think this is what being a Jain entails. This can be taken to be the confluence of positive and negative aspects.
The above discussion indicates that we, on an individual basis, are supposed to adopt the religious practices which we determine to be good for us, for other people and all living beings around us. Now I design a system for myself and follow it. The probabi. lity of my succeeding in my efforts can be calculated. However, it is not possible to predict whether I will succeed or fail. This can be taken as the inexpressible aspect. My system could be less than ideal but some favorable circumstances may lead me to success. On the
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