________________
vi
The very man for whose benefit science and technology are said to have been created, is at the mercy of their results, and all the achievements of civilization are being threatened with extinction. It is high time that we discover a moral standard in the light of which man's behaviour can be judged for himself and in relation to the society in which he lives.
Every being wants to live and survive; and, therefore, violence cannot be the rule of civilized living. Wherever it is practised, whether under poor or affluent circumstances, it is a sign of cruelty and barbarism. The majority want to live in peace with each other. It is the power-mad minority that takes recourse to violence to achieve its selfish ends. Today, man's violence towards his species has no parallel or justification in nature. It is only by adopting the moral and spiritual norm of Ahimsa that contemporary society can be made worthy of its name. It is an uphill task; but all those who are interested in the welfare of man as man have to struggle to build a society where non-violence is the supreme value or objective, as well as the means. Mahatma Gandhi has proved by his example how Ahimsa or non-violence is a way of life which can provide security and sustenance to one and all. Further, the scientist is also realizing that "at the present catastrophic moment of human history, an increased production, accumulation and circulation of love, energy or non-violence of persons and groups, institutions and cultures, is a necessary condition for the prevention of new wars and for the alleviation of enormously increased inter-human
Strife
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org