Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005
File Size: 24 MB

Page 20

Problem of conflicts and ideologies of faiths
Regarding this problem Jainism maintains that the nature of reality is complex. It can be looked from various angles or viewpoints. Human knowledge and understanding are unable to know the reality as a whole. We can have a partial and relative picture of it. One, who has only partial truth or has a one-sided picture of reality, has no right to discord the other's view as false. We must accept the view of our opponents because they may be right or true from some other angles. The Jain theory of Anekantavāda or non-absolutism emphasises that all the approaches to understand the reality give partial but not true picture and due to their truth value from a certain angle we should regard the others ideologies and faith. Ir Lokatattvanirṇaya, Haribhadra says "neither I bear favour towards Mahāvīra nor disregard for Kapila and other saints and thinkers, whatsoever is rational and logical ought to be accepted ".
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Problem of preservation of ecological equilibrium
The most crucial problem the world is facing today is of ecological imbalance. Only a half-century back we could not even think of it. But today everyone is convinced with the fact that ecological imbalance is directly related to the very survival of human race. It indicates lack of equilibrium or disbalance of nature and pollution of air, water, etc. The hole in ozone layer has become a matter of great concern for the scientists. It is not only concerned with the human beings and their environment but animal life and plant life as well.
Jainism presents various solutions of this ecological problem through its theory of non-violence. Jains hold that not only human and animal beings but earth, water, air, fire and vegetable kingdom are also sentient or living beings. For Jains to pollute, to disturb, to hurt and to destroy them means to commit violence against them, which is a sinful act. Every religious activities of Jains start with seeking