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
external rituals, which are divergent in their nature, have become more important. Thus we have forgotten the essential unity of all the religions and are stressing their diversities.
Though I am emphasizing the essential unity of all the religions, this does not mean that I am the supporter of one world religion or undermining the specialities and diversities of them. What I intend to say is that the absolute unity and absolute diversity, both are illusory concepts and fellowship of faith means unity in diversity.
Co-operation as Essential Nature of Living Beings
For Jainas co-operation and co-existence are the essential nature of living beings. Darwin's dictum- 'struggle for existence and the Indian saying- Jivojīvasya bhojanaṁ, that is 'life thrives on life' are not acceptable to them.
They maintain that it is not the struggle but the mutual co-operation is the law of life. Umāsvāti (4th century A.D.) in his work Tattvārthasūtra clearly maintains that mutual co-operation is the nature of living beings (parasparopagraho Jivānām). Living beings originate, develop and exist with the co-operation of other living beings. So is the case with the human society also, its existence also depends on mutual co-operation, sacrifice of one's own interest in the interest of other fellow beings and regard for other's life, ideology, faith and necessities. If we think that other's services are essential for our existence and living, then we should also co-operate to others living
If we consider taking the help of others in our living as our right, then on the same ground it is our honest duty to help others in their living. The principle of equality of all beings means that every one has a right to live just as myself and therefore one should not have any right to take other's life.
Thus for Jainas the directive principle of living is not 'living on other's or 'living by killing', but 'living with others' or 'living for others'. They proclaim that co-operation and co-existence are the essential nature of living beings. If it is so, then we must accept that religious tolerance and fellowship of faiths are such principles to be followed at the bottom of our hearts.