________________
156
Jainism in a Global Perspective
Because of the development of mental faculties we have not only denied to accept social or religious checkpost but we also have denied natural checks. Now our life-cart has only accelerator, no break. Our amibitions and desires have no limits. They always remain unfulfilled and these unfulfilled desires create frustrations. These frustrations or resentments are the cause of our mental tension. Due to the light legged means of transportation, physical distances are no bars to meet the peoples of different nations, cultures and religions and thus, our world is shrinking. But unluckily and disdainfully because of the meterialistic and selfish outlook, the distance of our hearts is increasing day by day. Instead of developing mutual love, faith and co-operation we are spreading hatred, doubt and hostility and thus deprived of peace, mental as well as environmental, the first and foremost conditionof human living. Rabindra Nath Tagore rightly observes, "For man to come near to one another and yet to continue to ignore the claims of humanity is a sure process of suicide."3
Meaning of Peace in Jainism
The term 'Peace' has various connotations. It can be defined in different ways from different angles. Intrinsically peace means a state of tranquillity of mind. It is the state in which self rests in its own nature, undisturbed by external factors. Peace means soul devoid of passions and desires. Acārārga, mentions that an aspirant who has attained peace has no desire. Peace means cessation of all desires. Sūtrakītānga equates it with Niravāna i.e.. the emancipation from all desires, in other word, it is the state of self-contentmentor total subjectivity i.e. the state of pure Seer. Ācārănga maintains that one who is aware of peace will not fall in the grip of passions. While defining peace, Saint Thomas Aquinas has rightly maintained the same view. He says, "peace implies two things first our self should not be disturbed by external factors and secondly, our desires should find rest in onei.e. the self."6 This inner peace can also be explained from negative and positive view-points. Negatively, it is the state of the cessation of all the passions and desires. It is the freedom from the vectors of attachment and aversion. Positively, it is the state of bliss and self contentment. But we must remember that these positive and negative aspects of inner peace are interdependent on each other, they are like the
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org