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

Page 8

and its foundation is the observance of non-violence. In the Acarangasūtra, the earlies Jaina text (c. late 4th cent. B.C.) we come across these two definitions of religion: Equanimity is the essence of religion, while the observance of non-violence is its external exposition or a social aspect of religion. The Acārānga mentions that practising of non-violence is the true and eternal religion.
Jainism, since its inception, believes in and preaches for peace, harmony and tolerance. It has been tolerant and respectful toward, other faiths and religious ideologies throughout its history of existence. In Jainism one hardly comes across instances of religious conflicts involving violence and bloodshed. At mostone meets with instance; of disputations and strongly worded debates concerning ideological disagreements. The Jaina men of learning while opposing the different ideologies and religious standpoints, fully paid regard to them and accepted that the opponents' convictions may be valid from a certain standpoint.
Huminity as a true form of religion
First of all we are human being and then any thing else i.e. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Muslimes, Sikkhas, Jainas and the like. To be a real human being, is a pre-condition for being a real Hindu etc. Our prime duty is to be a human in its real sense. This spirit is echoed in one of the earlier Jaina text Uttarādhyayana wherein Lord Mahāvira has laid down four conditions for a true religious being. viz-1. Humanity 2. true faith 3. control over senses and 4. efforts for self-purification”. Thus we see that among these four conditions of a religious being, humanity occupies the first and the foremost position.
In Jainism religion is defined as a true nature of a thing (Vatthu Sahāvo Dhammo“) and in the light of the above definition it can be said that humanity is the true religion of mankind. For, it is its essential nature. As a human being if we fail to behave like a human being, we have no right to call ourselves a religious being or even a human being. Bertrand Russell, the eminent philosopher and scientist of our age, suggests "I appeal as a human being to the human beings that remember your humanity and forget the rest. If you can do so the way lies open to a new paradise. If you cannot, nothing lies before you but universal death"). And