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RELEVANCE OF JAINA ETHICS IN THE PRESENT AGE 143 form of Kantian ethics and the material content of happiness envisaged by hedonism"1.
Concluding, we may observe here that Jaina ethics is very much useful and important historically and philosophically. This is really regarded to be one of oldest system of thought based on non-violence. As a matter of fact, this virtue of non-violence may be safely regarded to be the central or pivotal among various virtues preached by them and the importance of nonviolence is well-known in the present world. Indeed, its importance and application cannot be said to be confined to ethics alone. It has its use and importance in politics, economics and in international affairs as well. Nation can be peaceful and prosperous if takes non-violence seriously and sincerely. Similarly, economic revolution based on non-violence (as envisaged by Vinoba) can be also a boon to us if it is practised sincerely. Likewise, nonviolence can contribute a great deal in fostering relationship of peaceful co-existence among different warring nations. Similarly, non-possession and other virtues preached by Jainas are significant and relevant in the present era. The ideal of non-possession and non-hoarding can be really useful today as we are very much concerned with the problem of economic inequality. This is bound to foster socialism in its own way.
Thus, we have tried to show that ethics in general and Jaina ethics in particular has its due relevance in the present age. As a matter of fact, ethics in general and Jaina ethics in particular will be useful and relevant for all times to come. With these words, I pay my homage, to the great master of Jainism, Mahāvīra, in his 2500th year of Nirvāņa.
1.
Ibid., p. 136
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