Page Text
________________
Jainism and World Peace
213
This trio of non-violence washes away the dirt of vanity and spreads the fragrance of love and friendship. It bears the fruits of world-welfare.
Today's World problems
Three of the most important aspects of modern world are development in Science and Technology, concern of environment and fall in social and ethical values in different spheres. I would like to touch briefly on these three issues and the beneficial effects Jaina Doctrines can have.
Science and Technology
The state of world today is deeply disturbing. Basically the cause lies in a gross imbalance between science and self-knowledge. We are far too busy gathering knowledge and paying too little attention to acquisition of wisdom.
Ever since the great discovery of nuclear fission, the arsenals of nuclear weapons are growing. Other problems such as population explosion and its related problems are also terrible. These are in a depper sense, but outward symptom of a deeper malady. A fundamental reason is that where as modern science tells us much about matter and how to manipulate it, tells a lot about universe of stars, galaxies, atoms, energy, DNA etc., the picture is totally alien to what is beauty, happiness, love, pain, tolerance and a thousand other things that gives meaning to and direction to our lives.
The extraordinary strength of modern science lies in its objectivity, on the total exclusion of subjectivity. The advancement of science and technology and its use for human welfare-economy, social and culture will be in jeopardy unless there is a moral advancement of man and strengthening of human spirit. Science and technology without self control and doctrine of Ahimsācan only result in widening the frightening gap still further between rich and poor and multiply tensions mistrust and fear and lead to disaster and doom.
The leader of Sarvodaya Movement Saint Vinoba Bhave says that "the synthesis of science, technology and spirituality cum Ahiṁsā is essential for the welfare of human beings hence to erect a bridge between science and spirituality is necessary. If we fail to do so then science and
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 014010 |
| Book Title | Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago |
| 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 |