My Encounter With Jainism

Summary

Mr. Leon Bensimon recounts his personal introduction to Jainism in 1953 during a visit to Ranchi, Bihar, while accompanying Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Wandering aimlessly, he entered a Jain temple and was struck by its serene atmosphere. There, he received introductory literature mentioning the World Jain Mission and Dr. Kamata Prasad Jain, which catalyzed his inquiry into Jain philosophy. He later received booklets from the World Jain Mission, Aliganj (U.P.), and discovered Jainism’s core emphasis on self-reliant spiritual inquiry, rather than dependence on external authority. The philosophy, he observes, encourages an inward journey of the self, requiring independent reflection and discipline. He found scientific depth in its metaphysical concepts, especially the theory of paryāya (manifestation/change). Bensimon highlights that Jainism is not merely about nonviolence, which is common to many religions, but about its absolute, refined form—a total reverence for life, including the smallest creatures. This view, rooted in the "Live and Let Live" ethos, evokes a spiritual rather than merely ethical commitment to coexistence and respect for nature as uncreated and eternal. He contrasts Jain philosophical rigor, which emphasizes qualitative rather than quantitative reasoning, with religious bigotry. To him, the legacy of the Tirthankaras, particularly their liberating teachings and lived examples, cast a powerful spiritual influence likened to a “mighty shadow” guiding followers to the soul’s blissful liberation. Inspired further by George Duhamel’s thoughts on solitude in righteousness, Bensimon reflects on his own transformation. He shares how he prayed and meditated at Jain temples, and undertook pilgrimages to sites across India: Sarnath, Rajgir, Calcutta, Malabar Hills, Ahmedabad, Indore (noted for its glass temple), Pārasnāth, and Pālitānā. His journey culminated at Sammed Shikhar (Pārasnāth hill)—where 22 Tirthankaras are said to have attained liberation—guided by words of encouragement from Vinoba Bhave. He also visited a Jain Gurukul at Bahubali in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, which he describes as a “pilgrimage among Jain living people,” emphasizing the vibrant presence of Jain values in daily life.