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Dulicand Jain: Jainism and its Relevance to the Modern
INTEGRAL VIEW OF LIFE :
Mahavira stressed on the total personality development of a person. He said right vision, right knowledge and right conduct together lead a man to the perfect path of progress called moksha. But all cannot become ascetics. For householders he suggested the fourfold goal of life called the Chaturvidh puruşārtha i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kāma and Mokşa.
Dharma should be reflected in our day to day life. Dharma is way of life. Artha means economic values. Kāma means enjoyment of sensual pleasure and Mokṣa means emancipation or Liberation.
Mahāvīra laid utmost importance on maintaining family relationship. Family life shoul be based on duties and not on rights. There should be harmonious relationship amongs all members. Mahāvīra said about the duties of the wife as under:
भारिया धम्मसहाइया, धम्मविइज्जिया। धम्माणुरागरत्ता, समसुहदुक्ख सहाइया ।।
ie., an ideal wife is one who helps the cause of Dharma, is absorbed in Dharma and shares her husband's pleasure and pain equally.
In order to bring harmony in individual and family life, one should abstain from the seven vices:
1. sexual contact with another man or woman 2. gambling
meat eating
taking intoxicants (drinks and drugs) 5. hunting 6. uttering harsh words and 7. misappropriation of other's property. VEGETARIAN WAY OF LIFE :
Mahāvīra emphasized strictly on taking vegetarian food. Even to-day Jains are following vegetarianism and the Jain community is the largest vegetarian community in the world.
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