Page Text
________________
That which you consider worth harming is (like) your own self.” - Acārānga Sutra
UNIVERSAL LOVE OR UNIVERSAL FRATERNITY
This doctrine of equality of life forms is a branch of the tree of Jain ahimsā, and universal love or universal fraternity is its fruit. A person who observes Jain ahimsā considers all beings to be like his own self. He carries a feeling of love and friendship for all beings. That is why every Jain makes these wishes everyday:
“May I nurture a feeling of friendship for all beings. May I have compassion for those in misery. May I be filled with joy when I see worthy ones. And may I have equanimity for enemies. May my soul be like this ever."
and,
"I seek forgiveness from all beings. May all beings forgive me. I have friendly feelings for all beings. I have no animosity for any being.”
If there is any fruit of religion it is that everyone nurtures the altruistic feelings of universal fraternity and universal love and translates them into his behaviour.
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
In the modern world materialism has become the yardstick of the quality of life. Science is revealing secrets of the physical world and doing new inventions everyday for conveniences and comforts of people. These inventions gradually become necessities of life. Those who are unable to avail of these facilities hanker for the same. Imagination and desire for newer and better facilities torment those who have these facilities. Thus science has created an atmosphere of dissatisfaction and discontent by arousing the thirst of desires and the hunger of needs.
Nations made of people are the agregates of ambitions of people. The underdeveloped and developing countries are trying to attain the level of quality of life in the developed nations. And they are trying this
304
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 001605 |
| Book Title | Introduction to Jainism and its Culture |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Balbhadra Jain |
| Publisher | Kundkund Gyanpith Indore |
| Publication Year | 2002 |
| Total Pages | 334 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Religion, & Culture |
| File Size | 21 MB |