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

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in the fields, they will serve no significant purpose. They will be like doing things in seclusion. Similarly, if the findings of the human laboratory in the realm of values are not taken to human beings in general, things will deteriorate and conditions will not change. Mahāvira, therefore, advises us to propagate values of life (Prabhāvanā).
Social Values The social values which were regarded by Mahavira as basic are Ahimsā, Aparigraha and Anekānta. What this shows is that Mahāvira did not neglect adherence to social values, being overwhelmed by spiritual realisation. Ahiṁsā begins with the awareness of the 'other'. Like one's own existence, it recognises the existence of other beings. In fact, to negate the existence of other beings is tantamount to negating one's own existence. Since one's own existence can not be negated, the existence of other beings also can not be negated. Thus there exists the universe of beings in general and that of human beings in particular. The basic characterisation of these beings is : life is dear to all and any kind of suffering is painful to all of them.
Now for the progress and development of these beings, Ahimsā ought to be the basic value guiding the behaviour of human beings. For a healthy living, it represents and includes all the values directed to the 'other' without overemphasizing the values directed to one's own self. Thus it is the pervasive principle of all the values. Posit Ahimsā, all the values are posited. Negate Ahimsā, all the values are negated. Ahińsă purifies our action in relation to the self and other beings. This purification consists in our refraining from certain actions and also in our performing
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