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Syntropy 2013 (2): 243-279
ISSN 1825-7968
Darwin's principle is based on the concept of natural selection that is species which are superior survives whereas those which are inferior with respect to adjustment to the environment and/or availability of resources die out or are eliminated. Jainism says that all living beings want to evolve and so highly developed species like human beings should support evolution of other species through the principle of non-violence (ahimsa). Thus Jains also talk of evolution, but it is spiritual, which is accompanied by an increase in purity of soul and increase in its knowledge content. In spiritual evolution also, one has to be very selective as a very strict discipline is demanded for oneself. A strict set of rules has to be followed to progress along the spiritual path. It is mostly concerned with internal processes and phenomena. However, in this process, they consume minimum resources and hence resources do not have great impact on survival. It is least important which is critical in case of Darwin's principle.
It appears that the various principles and set of rules and regulations developed by ancient Jains are just like control parameters in this huge biosphere which indirectly provides stability of the biosphere on the long time scale and are hence critical conditions required for continuation of life processes on this planet. They also reflect the interdependence of various activities of human beings on different components of the biosphere through the principle of ahimsa.
With the discovery of genes, mutation takes place in such a way that new genes are more robust and are transferred to the next generation. However, in Jainism, it is individual soul which leaves a body in one life and goes to another world after leaving the body in one life. As knowledge is the major characteristic of the soul, knowledge is carried over to the other birth (as soul never dies even when the body dies).
Darwin's does not talk about any goal in the process of evolution , except for natural selection and the whole evolution could be a set of randomly occurring steps of evolution without following any direction to achieve any goal. Jainism on the other hand talks of Moksha or siddha Samadhi, which is the target or one's goal. Hence many uncertainties are reduced.
Darwin's principle is around 150 years old whereas Jain's principle of evolution is at least 3000 years old and is still found very relevant in the modern time, hence more rigorous research is required in this direction in view.
In view of the above principle of Jainism that worshipping of all animal kingdom and plant kingdoms and all natural objects like water, soil, air etc. is encouraged. Hence in Jainism, a concept of "Live and Let live" has evolved, indicating respect for all living beings and aims to define future goals of all living beings. On the other hand the Darwin's
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