Ahimsa Varsh 2600th Birth Anniversary of Mahavir Swami

Author(s): Naresh Jain, P Jayaraman
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Page 41

A Portrait Of
Jainism
- Dr. N. P. Jain Former Ambassador of India to the EU, UN, Mexico, Nepal & Belgium
ain religion is one of the oldest religions of India and indeed of
the world, dating back in its origin to pre-vedic times. Twenty-four Tirthankaras (leaderprophets) beginning with Lord Rishabhanath and ending with Lord Mahavir (599527 BC) have guided its evolution and elaboration by first achieving and then preaching,
All the Thirthankaras were, at one time, historical figures enjoying immense political power and high social status. And yet, at the pinnacle of material glory, when the light of ahimsa (non-violence) and aparigra- ha (non-attachment) dawned upon them, they renounced all material possessions of life, set out on the path of spiritual enlightenment and eventually achieved emancipation by conquering the suffering inherent in the instinct of attachment to material illusions.
Jain religion is unique in as much as in its existence of over 5,000 years, it has never compromised on the
concept of nonviolence either in principle or practice. It upholds nonvio
lence as Dr. N. P. Jain
the supreme
religion (Ahimsa Parmo Dharmah) and has insisted upon its observance in thought, expression and action at individual as well as collective levels.
Reverence for all forms of life is deeply ingrained in the Jain ethos. Both in its philosophical essence as well as rituals, Jain religion invokes an intense and constant awareness of communion and interdependence not only with all living beings but indeed with all elements of nature. The holy text Tatwartha Sutra sums it up in the phrase "Parasparopgraho Jeevanam" (all life is mutually supportive).
Jain religion presents a truly enlightened perspective
of equality of souls, irrespective of differing physical forms of living creatures ranging from human beings to animals and microscopic living organisms. Humans alone among livings, are endowed with all the six senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching and thinking; thus humans are enjoined upon to give the lead for achieving oneness and harmony with all life by being compassionate, loving, tolerant, forgiving, rational and full of equanimity.
Jain philosophy envisages harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in creating an environment that is at once peaceful and non-polluted as well as congenial and inspiring to spiritual upliftment.
Jain religion has a clearly articulated scientific base which elucidates the interrelated properties and qualities of animate and inanimate substances; the inter-relationship is described in terms of evolution and the growth of atoms in time and space as an integral part of the oneness of all life.
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