1st Jain International Conference

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

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1st INTERNATIONAL JAIN
CONFERENCE
Jainism for betterment of social-life
Prof. Dharmchand Jain
Although Jainism is considered as a religion for attaining ultimate salvation from sorrows, but the principles of Jainism are also helpful in betterment of social life of an individual. The tenets like praņātipāta-viramaņa (restrain from violence), mộsāvāda-viramaņa (restrain from false speech), adattādāna-virmaņa (restrain from stealing), svadāra or svapati-santoșa vrata (satisfaction with own spouse only) and parigraha-parimāņa(limiting the possession and desires) are important for purification of our behavior which is helpful in making social life better. A person pursuing these principles cannot be harmful to the society. Not only this, but also he protects the rights of living with dignity and respect of every human being. Behavior of such person generates harmony and positive attitude in the society. In this way these five principles make social life better. A person of the world having these principles in practice can make his own life happy and can make others life happier. These are also the ethical doctrines. A society developed with ethical doctrines is considered as the best because it remains devoid of mutual confrontations and the behavior of the people may nourish love and harmony in the society.
The society is created through our social behavior. Presently the society is facing the problem of violence, untrust, corruption, non-celibacy, possession, desires, polluted environment etc. The solution of these problems is derived from the practice of above five principles. Although these principles are discussed in other schools of philosophy also like Yoga and Bauddha, but in Jainism these are discussed minutely and followed by the householders as aņuvrata.
Jain philosophy considers that human beings are the makers of the society. We can change our thought, attitude and action. Jainism doesn't accept the God as creator of our social life. We can change the society with changing
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