Studies in Jainism

SR No.: 006565
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta
Publisher: Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 182
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 11 MB

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STUDIES IN JAINISM
learn how little one can live with, which, again, is in contradistinction of the materialistic Western outlook : how much one can acquire and possess.
Acquisitiveness transcends material possessions to include such non-qualities as power and influence. Thus, if acquisitiveness is moderated and continence practised, one of the breeding grounds of conflicts - regional, national or international - is rendered largely barren. (xiii) not to have recourse to unethical practice is elections..
Note : Taking part in elections in indirectly democratically organised political societies is both a right and a duty of the citizen. But this right-cum-duty demands, for being real, free and fair conduct of elections. This political ethic largely depends on the sturdy and ethic-hued independence of the citizen.
(xiv) not to encourage socially evil customs.
Note: This is certainly relative to time and place. For example, child-marriage is regarded as a social evil today ; but it was not so at one time, or, polygamy is frowned. upon in most countries today, but not in some others. Thus, socially evil customs has reference to time and place. The vow is limited by its own social nature.
(XV) not to take intoxicants including tobacco.
COMMENT : This is both for individual and social welfare. and assuming organic nature of society, these two coalesce. The observance of the vow prevents men from becoming unhealthy and therefore, small, and, as J. S. Mill has asserted, with small men, no great thing can be achieved. The purpose of social organization is to create an atmosphere so that individuals composing it can blossom forth-can realize their potentialities. This is dependent both upon individual and collective action. And collective action is a collection of individual actions. Here the individualistic principle of distinction between 'self-regarding' and 'other-regarding' actions vanishes altogether inasmuch as the individual keeps away from intoxicants for his own good as well as for society's well-being.