________________
JAÍNISM AND WORLD PROBLEMS
threatened breach is sought to be bridged over with an argument as to the respective rights of the parties, it is inevitable that misunderstandings should be more plentiful than otherwise, since neither of them is likely to have qualified himself or herself as a logician or judge. The advice of those who have understood the nature and value of the forces that are released and set in motion when animsa is resorted to is this, that if you are aiming at happiness for yourself and your partner in life then please leave the question of rights outside of your talk, but let ahimsa preside at your hearth and over the sentiments in the heart, and you will never lack anything, or be sorry for the choice.
It should not be forgotten that the woman is the foundation of social life, If the foundation is not truly laid the superstructure, if raised, will always be unsteady, and will certainly come down with a crash one day. The woman is also the custodian of virtue and of individual and national morality. If she learns her own lesson, not from the teaching of the Science of Salvation, but froin the example of lovely-limbed, elegantly dressed, but spiritually blind dancers and acrobats on the stage or the screen, she will be unfit to discharge her proper duties. As elsewhere, the effect of her lapses will take centuries to be perceived; but the contamination is sure, and once the heart of a nation is infected with corruption and rot, nothing can avail as a thorough cleanser of the poison.
A word more about the unemployed before I sum up my conclusions. I think the government's help will be better and inore effective if land can be found for the idle workers of a nation than the dole.
In the light of the above observations, the problems facing society in various countries are easily solved. Let men treat their fellow-inen as men and equals ; let politicians and statesınen give up a narrow patriotism, and extend the love of their hearts to their neighbours, near and remote ; let married people live on the basis of sacrifice and not on rights
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org