________________
XV
degradation of society with an exaltation of the cult of violence.
The practical consequence of this has been a widespread indifference to the moral values of life and justification of many inhuman cruelties and barbarities perpetuated in the name of national progress and security in many countries of the world. To-day we are confronted with a wave of materialism sweeping across the world like a hurricane in spite of the presence of institutionalized religions. In every country spiritual values are declining and moral standards are weakening under the pressure of the growing appetite and demand for all manner of excitement and selfindulgence.
Though man is undoubtedly a single species biologically he is characterized by the kind of violent behaviour found only in the animal world between members of different species. In man's violence towards man his behaviour has no counterpart. Violence breeds more violence. Violence has in it the seeds of its own destruction. Those who live by violence die by violence. Surely there is abundant evidence that the use of evil or violence augments rather than diminishes evil or violence.
For the resolution of the present crisis of the world, it is necessary to cultivate the higher or spiritual values of life. Violence can be reduced only through non-violence. The assertion "as you sow so shall you reap" is one way of indicating the inseparability of means and ends. The means one uses determine the end he reaches. It cannot be otherwise. Violence,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
