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Jainism in a Global Perspective
satanic. It needs universal human values like love, truth, non-violence compassion, etc. The denial of non-violence (Ahimsā)and violation of the rhythm of nature are equivalent to violation of truth. Society that seeks truth and is governed by the principle of Ahimsā to enable men to comprehend reality is its greatest richness. We must understand the power as well as limits of science. Science will suffer greviously and in the end reduce itself to a mockery if all its powers are not yoked to alleviate human suffering. But unless we learn to overcome and liquidate violence, the future is dark for all. Oncertain occasions, violence indeed appears useful. One can solve a problem quickly with force. But violence has a tendency to lead to counter-violence and counter-violence never ends. In the case of cold war the principle of nuclear deterrence had helped to promote stability, it did not created genuine peace. The last four and half decades in Europe have been merely the absence of war, which has not been real peace but a fascimile founded on fear. Non-violence is not negative but positive. Itis not only absenceof war of bloolshed. It points to a wholesale transformation in the socio-economic structure as well as in their psyche. It is not something an abstraction or an ideal. Is is a necessity. It is the very law of our life. It is the positive cosmic Love. It arises from development of the mental attitude in which hatred is replaced by love. We cannot create so much as one particle of dust, therefore, what right have we to destroy the very least form? True non-resistance is the one true resistance to evil. Good is all that serves life, evil is all that stifles. Good is reverence for life, evil is reverence for death. It narrows, it down and cuts it into pieces. Hence, the best ethics consist is reverence for life. There is one religion --the religion of love. There is one message, the message of nonviolence or Ahimsā, the message of holding one's own self in all beings. Militarism is not only anti-civilization, it is also very expensive. Pursing peace through military power places a tremendously wasteful burden on society. Hence, total disarmament is the only way out both for human survival and welfare.
Non-violence is not limited to the stoppage of war and bloodshed, it must also stop the arrogance of man towards nature.The materialistic civilization has provided a life of luxury, consumerism and extravagance. We are faced with the cruel exploitation of natural resources meant for the coming generations. Hence, our luxurious life is at the cost of the rape of
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