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Jaina Religon
Universal Relevance in the Contemporary World 87
This is basically the message of Jaina religion. There is inherent in Jaina principles and practices and integrated view of universe, a spirit of universality, a deeply compassionate outlook, an all pervasive belief in LIVE AND LET LIVE and above all a down-to-earth stress on ethical integrity of thought, purpose and conduct. Its teachings - far from being sectarian, dogmatic or mystical - have a universal relevance in the contemporary world. Its global perspective is a judicious blend of the scientific as well as the spiritual.
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Jaina religion is amongst India's and World's oldest religions dating back in its origin to over 2500 B.C. Twenty-four "Tirthankaras" (The ford makers) beginning with Lord Rṣabhanatha and ending with Lord Mahavira (599-527 B.C.) have guided its evolution and elaboration. It was under the inspiration and guidance of Lord Parsvanatha, the twenty third and Lord Mahavira the tewenty foruth Tithankara that their senior disciples put the accumulated religious wisdom, experience, tenets and parctices in a codified form.
The followers of Jaina religion number over ten million, mostly residing in India. What may, however, appear statistically as a minority religion has throughout India's history made a refreshingly -distinct and abiding contribution to India's philosophy, culture and way of life. It has achieved this through its predominant emphasis both in thought and practice on non-violence, reverence for life in all forms, ecological harmony and balance, recognition of vniversal mutual support and interdependence, non-attachment to illusory materialism, propagation of vegetarianism and a non-egocentric out-look.
The three-- Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness) and Anekanta (Relativity in thinking or non-absolutism) constitute the basic core of the deeply compassionate Jaina philosophy. Out of these basic tenets are inspired concepts like amity (maitri), compassion (karuņā), equanimity (mādhyastha) and appreciation (pramoda). With such a comprehensive compassionate approach, Jaina philosophy can meaningfully contribute to the attainment of universal duable peace and tranquility.
Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
Jaina religion is unique in as much as in its long existence, it has For Private & Personal Use Only
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