S.M. Jain
It is unfortunate that most Jains even ninety nine percent do not know these fundamental tenets of Jainism. Obeisance in temples, pilgrimages are generally to beg worldly things and not to reflect and follow the teachings of Arhats. Most unfortunate is that many Jains also subscribe to this creator one God theory and even some saints also speak in this tone. Rejection of one God theory is distinctive mark of Jainism but most of its followers do not know it. Arhats preach till they attain salvation and become Siddhas who live in eternal peace and do not do anything for anyone. The twenty-four Tirthankars whose idols we worship are Siddhas now. Even Arhat is completely unattached (Veetrag). They do not bestow favours. It is sinful to attribute such epithets to them. However many hymns, poems and songs are full of these attributes.
"द्रॉपदी को चीर बढ़ायो, सीता प्रति कमल रचायो"
(आलोचना पाठ)
(Lord you increased the length of Draupadi's garment to protect her from Dushason who was removing her clothing. You helped Sita when she sat on pyre by turning fire into water pool and creating a lotus for her to sit on)
There are numerous such stanzas in various prayers, Arties etc. The argument given for these is that it is just a manifestation of Bhakti (devotion). Jainism does not subscribe to reincarnation (Avtarvad) but in many prayers and arties there is mention of Tirthankaras as avtars. Bhakti (devotion) does not give licence to flout basic tenets. Jain pilgrims generally tell they have come to pilgrimage centre on the call of deity. An eminent saint has put a written hoarding stating that he says what deity guides and people are benefitted. Fact is that the deity does not do anything. These are only a few examples of contradictions, which have distorted the very identity of Jainism. In no other religion such blatant violation of fundamental principles is permitted and tolerated. There is dilution and distortion of Jain tenets because of incursions of brahmanical cult. Many Jain saints were also from brahmanical background and incorporated distortions. Also fewer and fewer Jains read even the few common treatises. Many saints yearn for recognition and obeisance from non-Jains and support non Jain tenets. Many Jain saints also speak of one almighty, which is against Jain tenets.
॥ केवलिश्रुत संघ धर्म देवावर्ण वादो दर्शनमोहस्य॥13॥
[Tattvartha Sutra VI Chapter]
It means that subscribing wrong attributes to Kevalins, Shrut Kevalins, Sangha and religion is causative factor for most harmful Darshan Mohaniya Karma. Kevalins are detached veetrag and attributing actions like giving material things etc. to them is therefore most sinful. It should be noted that Jain idols are not in blessing posture like that of Buddha and others.
