________________
108
Jainism in a Global Perspective
two great world wars and innumerable number of local and regional wars and conflicts. Violence and terrorism is taking a heavy toll of human life and property and has created a climate of fear and apprehension, hostility and hatred.
No Inconsistency between Action and Spiritual seeking
There is a common impression that action has no place in the life of spiritual seeking. Lord Krsna tells Arjuna in Gitä:
"Activity in life, intelligently undertaken is a means to reach the highest spiritual consummation."
"Thy business is with action only, never with reward or merit accruing from it.
Let not the fruit of action entangle thee nor be thou the slave of inaction."
Spirituality can not be pursued through inaction. Action is the symbol of life. As long as a man lives, he acts. It has been aptly put :
"Men of mere ideas and no leges are no more than intellectual centipeds."
By doing one's duties and performing tasks, one is not disconnected from the journey towards spiritual realisation. Spiritual awakening does not require one to become a hermit and retire to Himalayan mountain regions.
Swami Vivekananda's first lesson of spirituality was, "Go play football. "The moral is that even the maintenance of your body would be impaired by inaction. Both material and spiritual well being come to an active and not a lazy person.
Spiritualism and materialism, thus go hard in hand in judicious balance and adjustment. In fact with this combination, one get achieved fulfilment in life on a deeply satisfying note. Vigorous activity helps to get rid of inertia and to acquire dynamic momentum towards self develop
ment.
This thought has a message for spiritual thinkers assembled at this historic parliament of world religion. If they wish to actively lead the
For Private & Personal Use Only
Jain Education International
www.jainelibrary.org