Arhat Vachan 2002 10

SR No.: 526556
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Anupam Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 122
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Arhat Vachan, & India
File Size: 9 MB

Page 13

Vol. 14, No. 4, 2002, 9-14
ARHAT VACANA Kundakunda Jñānapitha, Indore
Environment, Life Ethics
and Jain Religion
Dr. N.P. Jain *
Historic Opportunity for Revitalising Culture of Life Ethics
The Millennium world peace summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders taking place at the United Nations symbolises a historic opportunity for sharing a vibrant culture of peace and justice for all living beings as well as the natural environment.
It is time for the input of spiritual vision and respect for ecological equilibrium to permeate our lives and deeds in order to stem the rot created by violent, reckless and exploitative mismanagement of earth's resources for human greed. Mahatma Gandhi, the 20th Century apostle of Non-violence used to say:
"The earth has enough for everyone's need
But not enough for everyone's greed" The human community needs to take a collective initiative through the fellowship of world's religions and with the support of United Nations to forge an alliance between Science, Development, Preservation of environment and Spiritualism. Human ingenuity must be reinforced by revitalised culture of life - ethics & morality.
Total earth environment has to be changed for the better to promote "Socially beneficial, peace fosterning and nature - friendly way of life".
Spiritual ecological thinking alone can revitalise the divine web of interdependence not only in relations among human beings of different colour, caste, creed and social moorings pursuing different faiths, ideologies and religions, but also in relations of humanity with its ecological co-partners viz, all other living species and the natural environment of air, water, land and space.
Lord Mahāvira Preached 2600 Years Ago!
"One who disregards the existence of earth, water, fire, air and vegetation disregards one's
own existence which is entwined with them" The aim should be to change the inner orientation, value - system and the whole mentality of the people at individual as well as community levels through a commonly agreed inter-faith plan of action inspired by what Jain Philosophy aptly describes as “Purasparopagraho Jivānāma" meaningmutually supportive coexistence among all living species.
* Former Ambassador & Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs. Res.: E-50, Saket, indore - 452001