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4. Justice-In democracy every citizen is given full justice. The court of law does not recognize any distinction in this respect. The offender may be a high official or a poor labourer. Both will get the same punishment for similar offence.
5. Friendship :-Democracy holds friendship as the last solution of every problem. Enmity breeds enmity giving rise to new problems. Even the insignificant issue becomes a difficult problem when relations are unfriendly. On the other hand the most difficult problems are overcome easily in a friendly atmosphere.
The above five principles form the basis of Jainism also. It holds man as superior to deities. Jain scriptures propose that divine beings touch the feet of the virtuous. It proposes freedom as the supreme goal of life. Recognizes essential quality of all living beings. Defines virtue and vice on the basis of regard or disregard to it. Jain Theory of Karma is based on the sense of complete justice. Ultimately universal friendship is repeated every morning and evening in its daily prayers.
The present book is a collection of my articles appeared in 'Aryan Path' and other journals. They give an insight how far Jainism stands for democracy. The idea is further developed in the following two books in Hindi - ( 1 ) लोकतंत्र का लक्ष्य ( 2 ) लोकतंत्र और जीवन, both published by Sasta Sahitya Mandal, Connaught Circus, New Delhi.
I am extreemly grateful to the A.I.S.S. Jain Conference for undertaking the present publication.
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