Jain Journal 2002 01

SR No.: 520145
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 84
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 5 MB

Page 60

REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
159
monks and nuns their religio-centric community paid attention to secular life as well. It will be evident from the flowering of art, architecture, literature, economics etc. Despite the fact that it is a rather closed community like the Jews and the Zarathrustrians, its interaction with Brahminic culture throughout is evident, as will be revealed in the study of the growth and development of the Ramayana.
Now Jaina Ramayana followed two distinct schools, one differing greatly from the other. The Jaina Ramayana of Vimalsuri was an adaptation of Valmiki Ramayana, while that of Gunabhadra school has no unitary source for it. Sita was the daughter of Ravana in the story of Gunabhadra. Vimalsuri's Ravana, following the Jain ideal of chastity, was an ideal character till he met Sita. He destroyed himself on account of his passion for Sita.
In today's world fantastic growth in science and technology has turned the earth into a global village but in the meantime man has distanced himself from other men. Selfish nature, common in animals, has raised its ugly head in different human communities not known before. Dichotomy of man's effort for peace and simultaneously his joining in the arms race has exposed his hypocrisy, a characteristic of modern civilization. In this context, Mahavira's message found in Acaranga may help us. Mahavira said, "There are weapons superior to each other but nothing is superior to asastra, i.e., non-violence.' Tranquility or samadhi is a personal experience of peace; applied in social life it becomes Ahimsā or non-violence. Mahavira also emphasised Sutrakrtanga the virtue of tolerance. These great values practised and preached by Mahavira can save mankind from the disaster that is looming large on the horizon of the twenty first century.
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