1st Jain International Conference

Author(s): Jaina Jito Shrutratnakar
Publisher: Jaina Jito Shrutratnakar

Page 28

1st INTERNATIONAL JAIN CONFERENCE
Translating High Impact Potential of Jainism to global practice
Narendra Bhandari
Jain philosophy has a high potential for developing an individual to his/ her highest physical, mental and spiritual level, in creating a harmonious society, as also saving the earth from an imminent catastrophe. In this article we make an attempt to analyse the causes which have inhibited the spread of Jain ethics and values.
The main reason is that the Jain darshan has not been defined correctly, misrepresented or not presented at all on global stage.
We begin by defining what Jainism is. It is not a religion as is generally made out to be, nor it is a faith, a blind belief in something told by someone. In contrast, It is a prescription for getting the correct world view, without imposing any external conditions, so that humans do not lead their life in falsehood, bound by the restrictions imposed by tradition, family, society or the nation but get themselves enlightened. Jain darshan offers a crystal ball or a glass prism to see the world as it is. It offers an experiential technique to get oneself enlightened to lead a meaningful, purposeful life.
Why then, Jainism is not accepted and followed by the humanity at large. The fault lies in two facts: (i) The Jains have reduced this darshan to a list of dietary and ritualistic do's and dont's, which it is not. (ii) The tenets and merits of Jain darshan have not been presented to the world; leave alone properly, it is not even known to most of the humanity that something like Jain darshan exists. It has been confined to an ever diminishing number of people and all the efforts are restricted to its practice in conduct rather than bringing out the depth of its spiritual, intellectual, scientific and logic aspects or the universal laws it has enunciated.
If one delves into the rich treasures of knowledge contained in Jain
26