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( 54 ) philosophy. If Jainism had kept its hold firmly in India and the Jaina community had kept its standards of character, we would have a more united and certainly a greater India than today, as Sri Shanmukham Chetty once said.
Now some explanation need also be given of the principle of the Jaina Ahimsa which has hitherto been misunderstood and misinterpreted by many persons. Even the academic world knew very little about the practical value of this virtuous principle before the advent of Mahatma Gandhi.
On the eve of Mahavir Jayanti, Mahatma Gandhi wrote in Harijan as follows: -
"No religion of the world has explained the principle of Ahimsa so decply and scientifically as is discussed with its applicability to every day human life in Jainism. As and when the benevolent principle of Ahimsa or non-violence will be searched for practice by the people of the world to achieve their end of life in this world and beyond, Jainism is sure to have the uppermost status and Lord Mahavira is sure to be respec'ed as the greatest authority on Ahimsa.''
There are people who after the Christaians think that if one is slapped on one of one's cheeks, one should turn one's other cheek also to the smiter in all humility. The other kind of people believe in paying tit-for-tat, or Row
