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Society in Jaina Philosophy and Literature
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This message was given by Queen Kamalāvati to King Isukāra in the Uttarādhayanasūtra, which is relevant in the modern society also. It is the eternal truth that the allurement of materialistic world cannot ultimately protect our lives.
The Jaina religion and philosophy also propound that the outer world or materialistic world is not the cause of grief or sorrows, our inner world is the real cause of our own sorrows. Mahāvīra says:
“The materialistic world is not the cause of equanimity (samatā) and inequanimity (vikrti), but the inner world of aversion (pradveșa) and possession (parigraha) through delusion or attachment (moha) generate sorrows or deformity in human beings."
Although this teaching of Mahāvīra is directly related to an individual, its impact goes to the society. Society changes through the fundamental thoughts regarding life. Attitude of the Jaina Tīrthařkaras
Tīrthankaras of Jaina religion reflect compassion towards all beings of the world. They preach their sermon for the benefit of the beings of the world, as depicted in Praśnavyākaraņasūtra:
"Reverend tīrthankara has given his sermon for the protection and compassion of all beings of the
world.” 70
Utt 32.101 : na kāmabhogā samayam uventi, na yāvi bhogā vigaim uventi;
je tappaosi ya pariggahī ya, so tesim mohā vigaim uvei. * PV 2.1: savva-jagajīva-rakkhana-dayathayāe bhagavayā pāvayaņam
sukahiyam
