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
We cannot say that, as a result of this movement, things have improved very considerably. Public spirit, commercial integrity, individual rectitude, family life, peaceful behaviour, these require to be cultivated. These cannot be achieved by merely talking about them. The only way in which this can be brought about is by imparting to our young people the essentials of our culture. These may be summarized in the three great words-abhaya, ahiṁsā, asarigawhich are the common possessions of all systems of religious thought."
I cannot resist the temptation of quoting here Ācārya Tulasi and Yuvācārya Mahāprajña's message issued to the Parliament of the World's Religions about Aņuvrata Philosophy. They say:
"The twentieth century is a century of scientific achievements. During this period science has made advances in all directions. Their social advantages are self-evident. The facilities and conveniences available today were not there in the past. As a result of these facilities all physical discomforts have been considerably reduced. One is reminded of an ancient Sanskrit maxim - Skandhāt skandhantaram nayat - it is a human havit to transfer the burden from one shoulder to another and thus feel comforted. It is not indicative of the present state of affairs. We are exchanging one kind of unhappiness for another. This succinctly characterizes the tendency to yield to convenience. The hedonistic attitude gave birth to materialism and the latter created an endless appetite for the accumulation of wealth. According to us violence, terrorism and other similar evils are not basic but derivative. The real factors causing them are the attitudes rooted in consumerism, acquisitiveness and hedonism. Those who are actually engaged in violence and are terrorizing people have no different attitude. Ordinary people in society desire convenience, consumer items and wealth; so do those spreading violence and terror.
No effective method of preventing terroristic activities and crimes can be found without having an integrated approach to economic planning. Intellectually it was felt that all such problems would be resolved automatically with economic development. However, experience has shown that economic development has further complicated these problems. The solution to the problem can be summed up in one word-self-restraint. It is essential that it should be practised on an extensive scale. Self-restraint