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Jainism in a Global Perspective
challenging task. Nothing short of collective efforts of all religions of the world can give it the required momentum. Inter-faith co-ordination must put this task on topofits action agenda. Spiritual rejuvenation will provide the added dynamism and durable vitality to our efforts to tackle global crisis in environmental, developmental, cultural, social and political arenas.
Erosion of spirit has made humanity immeasurably deprived and disillusioned. Let religion, true to its word meaning, bind us again and relate us to the true and the ultimate purpose of our life. Discovery of one's true divine self, abandoning of the egocentric attitudes, eliminating irrational beliefs and restoring the spiritual health at the level of the individual, society and the universe.
It is time to focus on the most common denominator of all religions to promote tolerance and compassion, kindness and co-operation, amity and understanding, peace and harmony. The starting point of the spiritual resurgence is the translation of the Jaina principle of "live and let live" in our thoughts, actions and expression.
Change from the habit of violence to a commitment to Non-violence is the key to spiritual prosperity. Non-violence is an important spiritual discipline as well as a rational way of behaviour. Jaina Tīrthankara Mahāvira said 2500 years ago in his discourse on Jaina philosophy:
"There is nothing so small and subtle as the atom nor any element so vast as space. Similarly, there is no quality of soul more subtle than non-violence and no virtue of spirit greater than reverence for life."
Need for spiritual Education
In order to bring about spiritual resurgence, widespread spiritual education is necessary as it will strengthen intellects, reasoning and rationality. The course of spiritual education is similar to the process of making curd out of milk.
The aim of spiritual education is to grow multifold from physical to emotional personality, from emotional to intellectual and ultimately absorb the core of spirituality
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