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Jainism in a Global Perspective
"Goddess Ahiṁsā is superior to that which is
Protection to the terrified, Flight to the birds,
Water to the thirsty, Food to the hungry,
Boat for spanning an ocean, A place to stay in to the quadruped, Medicine to the ailing ones and Company to those gone stray in a wilderness".
Ahimsā the main doctrine of Jainism, has been always central to man's progress, but at no time its need and relevance has been more than today. Man's very survival in the modern age depends on science and Ahimsā. Ahiṁsā is not, and cannot be, in the very nature of things a static doctrine. On the contrary, like science, it is an exploration where every sincere effort and practice opens new possibilities and new horizons.
Anekāntavāda -Omni-Perception
A well versed Jaina Scholar has narrated the definition of Jainism as follows:
syādvādo vartate yasmin, paksapāto na vidyate.
nāstanyapidanaṁ kincita, Jaina dharmaḥ sa ucyate.
i.e. "Where the theory of Syādváda or Anekāntavāda exists where no partiality of any kind persists and where injury of any sort or harming to any creature is completely restricted - is Jainaism."
The doctrine of Ankāntavāda postulates the right method of realising the truth of the ultimate reality in its varied aspects thus paving the way to understand the opposing viewpoints of relativity. The Syādvāda rationalises human thought and equips it with the spirit of reconciliation, mutual understanding, toleration and brotherhood. It elevates the individual self to the realm of the universal self or the cosmic self.
Jaina philosophy advocates Anekāntavādaor the synthesis in different view points on the ultimate reality. Jainism has abhored in unequivocal
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