Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

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Jainism in a Global Perspective
Jaina ecological consciousness is grounded in a judicious blend of divine holism and vision of non-exploitative science and technology. Instead ofignoring orside tracking one another, religion and science must go hand in hand and chart a single path to guide humans spirituality in the direction of preservation of our planet and consevation of its resources. The scientific approach, reasoning and practices prescribed by Jaina religion are, thus highly relevant today when environmental concerns are on the top of human agenda.
Jaina philosophy exhorts and inspires human beings to become the spiritual agents for preserving the grace and dignity of Mother Earth and enhancing the productivity and vitality of the natural phenomenon. After all, all human, nature and other living being are a part of an organic whole - a oneness in the vast eternity of time and space. Jaina as well as other religions have preached this from times immemorial.
Spirit of Renunciation
Spirit of renunciation is basic to Indian philosophy in general and Jaina philosophy in particular. The approach is not to endorse it as a desirable principle, but to put it to practice as practicable to one's station in life and strength of one's own will power through a process of selfcontrol both physical as well as mental. The psychology is not one of feeling of being forced to do it as a religious ritual with a kind of suffering imposed, but of a task undertaken with enthusiasm, willingness, delight and positive orientation.
The concept of "Aparigraha"Non-possessiveness can be practised in varying degrees. Simply stated it is the practice of self-restraint and voluntary control of wants, abstinence from over-indulgence and elimination of aggressive urge. Jaina religion prescribes more strict and rigorous practices (Mahāvrata) for monks and relatively less so Aņuvrata for ordinary followers.
Spreading widely the basic culture of self-restraint is highly relevant in the contemporary world. In the wake of tremendous materialistic progress, humankind has been caught up with never-ending multiplication of wants. This has increased human greed, wasteful consumption and waste of earth's precious resources.