Mahavira and his Philosophy of Life

SR No.: 006934
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Jain Vidya Samsthan
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 80
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 65

the change is met with great resistence. The reason for this is that change is looked by individuals with doubt and uncertainty. Besides, love for conventionality and vested interests run counter to the acceptance of novelties in thought. All these obstacles mar individual dynamism. The individual who is a slave to customary beliefs, however false they have been declared to be, can not develop his own personality and his actions are just like machines. Mahavira, therefore, preaches that an individual should be free from follies (Amūdhatās). It is only through such individuals that society progresses and a scientific outlook gains ground. Such individuals are forward looking, and are free from the pressures of narrow traditionalism. They are always open-minded and are ever eager to learn from history and experience. It is no doubt true that cognitive and conative clarities are essential to individual progress. If man's mind is prejudiced and his actions are stereotyped and wrongly directed, nothing worthwhile can be achieved. In order that an individual becomes an embodiment of noble thought and actions, virtues, virtuous dispositions are to be cultivated. This prepares the individual to do certain kinds of actions in certain kinds of situations. This is not just to think or feel in certain ways. There may be individuals who can think clearly and not act virtuously when required to do so. Consequently, Mahāvira preached that an individual should develop virtuous dispositions of honesty, gratitude, Ahimsa, forgiveness, modesty, straightforwardness etc. This individual characteristic is known as Upavrhana. It can not be gainsaid that noble thoughts can be translated into action through the medium of character. No doubt, mere thought is important to bring about any individual
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Mahavira and his Philosophy of Life