Peace Religious Harmony and Solution of World Problems from Jaina Prespective

SR No.: 001657
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 70
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Social
File Size: 4 MB

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right to lead a peaceful life. Though violence is unavoidable yet it can not be the directive principle of our living. Because it goes against the judgements of our faculty of reasoning and the concept of natural law. If I think that nobody has any right to take my life then on the same ground of reasoning I have also no right to take another's life. The principle, live on other or 'living by killing' is self-contradictory. The principle of equality propounds that every one has the right to live. The directive principle of living is not 'Living on other' or 'Living by killing' but'Living with other' or 'Live for others' (Parasparopagrahojivānām).18 Though, in our worldly life, complete non-violence is not possible yet our motto should be 'Lesser killing is better Living'. Not struggle but co-operation is the law of life. I need other's co-operation for my very existence and so I should also co-operate in other's living.
Further, we must be aware of the fact that in Jainism non-violence is not merely a negative concepti.e. not to kill; but it has positive side also i.e. service to mankind. Once a question was asked to Mahāvira, 'O Lord, one person is rendering his services to the needy ones while other is offering Pūjā to you, of these two, who is the real follower ? Mahāvīra replied 'one who is rendering services to the needy ones is my real follower because he is following my teachings."19
The concept of non-violence and the regard for life is accepted by almost all the religions of the world. But Jainism observes it minutely. Jainism prohibits not only killing of human beings and animals but of the vegetable kingdom also. Harming the plants, polluting water and air are also the act of violence or hiṁsā. Because they disturb ecological balance or peace. Its basic principle is that the life, in whatever from it may be. should be respected. We have no right to take another's life. Schweitzer remarks "To maintain, assist or enhance life is good. To destroy, harm or hinder is evil." He further says. "A day may come when reverence for all life will win universal recognition."20 "The Daśavaikälika mentions that every one wants to live and not to die, as we do, for this simple reason Niggantha that prohibit violence."21 It can be said that the Jaina concept of non-violence is extremist and non practical, but we cannot challenge its relevance for human society. Though Jainsim sets its goal as the ideal of complete non-violence, external as well as intemal, yet the realisation of this ideal in practical life is by no means easy. Non-violence is a spiritual