Jain Studies And Science

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Present book is written with a basic conviction that Acharya Mahapragya is a Super Intelligent human whose discourses and writings are based on the Acknowledge imparted by Lord Mahavira who was a Super Human Intelligence. Acharya Mahapragya is a living. Encyclopaedia of Jain teachings. In addition. He holds command on Ancient Indian Philosophy. Modern Psychology and contemporary Scientific Principles. He has incessantly inculcated science into his literature to make it comprehensible to even those who examine the religion critically

He feels that the rapid strides made by science are. Irretrievable and it is impossible to reverse this trend. The ills and perils of this hectic growth have now become a full blown predicament and science needs to be amalgamated with the religious thoughts to get nod of its evils Religion yearns for an eternal soul and science for an undying body. So why not have the best of both let us endeavour to attain a perpetual soul in conscious mind and healthy body!

Philosophy and Science - both seek the truth but with a fundamental difference. Philosophy follows a certain definite base whereas science always starts from zero ground. In their respective quest for truth they cross each other’s path very often. Many a times, philosophical musings pave the way for scientific research, while at times, philosophers are compelled to take notice of scientific discoveries. Yet, both have one similarity-they have a long way to go before the ultimate truth and purpose of our existence is revealed. Whether or not both will reach the same destination-time only will tell

Today's youth has more faith in science than in religion or philosophy though philosophy is not attached to any particular person and is associated only with the truth, yet its authenticity sometimes comes under severe scrutiny when it gets associated with any great person.

Once Buddha told his disciples, "Tradition is not the yardstick of truth, Neither am 1. Truth will be established - not because I am propounding it but Will be accepted by your heart only when your mind acknowledges it sensibly." Lord Mahavira also emphasised the same fact - "Search for the truth-thyself." Like philosophy, science too has but one aim to rid humanity of its sorrows and sufferings. Till date, the basis of all progress of humanity is through materialistic sources even though developed countries had caused destruction in the guise of the peace.

Acharya Mahapragya is an eminent coordinator of philosophy and science. Using science as the touchstone, he lived the essence of religion in his life. According to him, science is not our foe but is a friend. With more and more scientific revelations, the gap between science and philosophy has been bridged. He states that the truth can be described only by realistic approach i.e. Anekant (Non-absolutism). Jain philosophy is completely scientific in its own self and needs no scientific apparatus and research to prove its authenticity. However, some truths which had got buried in the passage of time need to be re-established through science. To that extent the scientific research has helped the philosophy greatly. This is indeed a great work done by science. The contribution of Acharya Mahapragya is that he has presented the philosophy in the language of science -the language of modern era. What is scientifically approved can be universally accepted.

Science progresses from 'macro' to 'micro" whereas spiritualism moves from tangible to abstract. In totality, both are heading towards a single reality -the infinitely latent world of 'massless'. Transcendental knowledge beyond JAN ETUDES AND SCEACT

Perception-an important subject of philosophy which had ceased to exist for a long time, has been revitalised by the science. Aura, conversion of body chemicals, change in secretions of hormones through meditation and effect of finer karmic waves etc. have all become the part of scientific realm. Various scientific apparatuses have been our associates in this philosophical travel the use of scientific methods has eliminated number of misconceptions, myths and problems associated with various religious and philosophical beliefs

The practice of the comparative study between religion and science has gained momentum during these years. Question arises that is it essential to test the religious axioms on scientific litmus? The answer lies in the fact that young and present generation accepts the authenticity of religion only if it is scientifically proved. Science is discovering new facts through the researches in subjects like religion, philosophy, health, mathematics, geography, astronomy etc. Thus it will be naive on our part to overlook the usefulness of comparative studies! Those who were initially opposing the idea of confluence of science with religion too have started accepting the scientific views. Today science has promoted the relevance of religion and philosophy by experimentally proving the beliefs embedded in them.

There were many subjects in Jain philosophy which hitherto were difficult to express in common language with in-depth clarity, but the same has become easy with modern discoveries of science. There was a time when youth could be convinced by mere faith, but today the context has changed and with them the depth of faith has deepened.

Introduction

In the later half of the rented century a clear shift is visible in the orientation on the writings of Jain philosophy. The concepts of Jain philosophy were once compared at length with other contemporary Indian philosophies Vedanta Sankhysa, Buddhism now they are compared with the theories and results of writing used for compare their concept on Non-absolutism with Vedanta' Monism and Sankhya's Bastion The comparisons were also drawn with this 'concept of permanence of Vedanta And the concept of impermanence of Buddhism transience of Jainism This customs has primarily ended Ever since the advent of Fitment’s theory of Relativity and Heisenberg's disory philosophy has found trusted friends in them Clear paraffin now be drawn between Einstein's theory of relativity and this Principle of Anekant (Non absolutism) of Jain philosophy The scientific studies on relativity, structures of atom, psychology and modern discoveries of cosmology have provided help to explain and reinforce many facts of Jain studies

Foremost Writer

In the contemporary writing style on Jain studies, the partial use of science has started. The credit for adopting this changed style of writing goes to Mahapragya In the present era, he has established himself as the foremost writer of this new genre of scripting. It reflected not only his generous and flexible perception, but also manifested his deep curiosity to r His slogan as on Anckant Drestra (visionary) is "What is truth at the truth mine and not what is mine is the truth" According to Malisprayit's point of view, the principles of Relativity and Postulates of Anekant are the only effective and modern techniques to understand and unearth this facts of nature and universe Mahapragya has created literature by amalgamating essence with spiritualises For dis reason, his literatures gained recognition and popularity With the passage of time.

Convergence of Science and Spiritualism

1) We are aware that in science, various subjects are categorised on this basis of different physical properties of this matter, the spiritual subjects are categorised on the basis of abstract qualities of the mattereals (drevyes) Mahapragya found that science and spiritualism are two different streams investigating this truth, but they are not against each other to fact, the two as inseparable

2). In die scientific world, the forms of substances are divided into two parts in comic (la) & microcosmic (ukshma) According to the scientist Heisenberg, the rules of micro matter are different from those Of macro matter and thus, cannot be applied on each other. From Jainism point of view, Ashtasparshi pudgal (octons) is figurative while Chatursparshi pudgal (quadons) is mass-less and non-figurative. Mahapragya has compared quadons with energy and waves, thereby discussing Jain philosophy in relation to the science. Apart from this, he has invited the science to broaden its scope in order to include description of intangible and elusive massless substances as the part of its research and experiments.

3) The main principles of science as used in Mahapragya literature are:

Evolution

Heredity

Theory of Relativity

Quantum Theory

Physiology and Psychology

4) The studies on genes are comparatively new. The construction code of genes is yet to be cracked. According to Mahapragya, the characteristics of genes are similar to that of a Shukshma-Sharira (micro-body) and they have the capability of undergoing voluntary changes. Modern scientific experiments have proved that the genes are affected by the external environment also. Therefore, the quest of spirituality will remain unfulfilled until the study of physical world is integrated with it.

Positive Thinking

Mahapragya has maintained a positive thinking as far as the convergence of spiritualism and science is concerned. Accepting the achievements of science, he said that the subtle features of existence, which were theoretical so far, are now experimentally proven by the science. Therefore, if through it, the abstract truths of Jain philosophy are getting clearer, the progress of philosophy lies in keeping its doors open to welcome science. If this new dimension is not added now, the philosophy will loose its use and meaning completely.

Empirical Facts

Mahapragya observes that Ancient language was once easy for all, but with the passage of time, it has not remained so. Through the methods of science, the ancient secrets can be explained with ease and clarity. In ancient literature, there is more of symbolic language hence clarity is less. Whatever we have understood through the medium of science could not be grasped on the basis of ancient literature alone. Another good feature of science is that it has given us some new apparatuses. One such apparatus is related to Aura. This apparatus can make the finest part of our personality perceivable. Philosophy has always concentrated on intangible and non-figurative Science too has come closer to Philosophy to as much extent as it (science) has understood the abstract and empirical facts of the philosophy

Singularity of Truth

Mahapragya is quite clear in his opinion that truth is singular and is never amb goes. He says, "Many approaches towards investigation of truth may differ for different religions, but when the explorer reaches the depth, all the beliefs are left behind and "the truth' finally emerges. Many people have voiced the opinion that science has harmed religion and has also isolated people from it. Many religious priests have also echoed the same thoughts. But their voices are far from reality. My definite belief is that science has truthfully explained the facts contained in various religions and will continue to do so. The abstract secrets described in the religious scriptures would have remained unexplained due to the unavailability of original sources of their ancient texts. They can now be described in the context of scientific researches with great authenticity. The comparative study of the related branches of philosophy and science is therefore desirable. Due to this, many new dimensions of philosophy can be highlighted."

Exploration of Abstract Facts As a religious leader Mahapragya manifests his foresight when he writes, "I agree that the contribution of science to the religion is unparalleled. Had science not explored the hidden and intangible micro-particles; had it not pronounced the micro level truths, various philosophers would have struggled a lot! The third eye' of the philosophers is not yet open. They have forgotten the process of experimentation. Today's scientists are performing newer experiments every day. Science is incessantly indulged with these experiments. Science has revealed numerous esoteric and cryptic truths at micro level. The present balanced attitude towards religion was not possible 500-1000 years back in the absence of scientific proofs. The intense curiosity for the abstract truths (micro level truths) was not there before. Science is reaching towards the boundary of knowledge beyond senses. Scientist do not meditate, do not indulge in spiritualism, nor do they try to awaken transcendental consciousness, but they invent sophisticated equipment through which the truth beyond senses can be discovered. Today science is capable to observe, decipher and establish the intangible and abstract facts which are obscured from the human senses."

**Contents and Sample Pages**