Ahimsa Varsh 2600th Birth Anniversary of Mahavir Swami

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

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that the earth is round and revolves around the sun instead of the other way around. we do not know when some other scientists may even demolish this idea and come up with some other explanation.
Incidental to the idea of non violence is the concept of truth. The Jain doctrine believes that when one utters a lie, he not only violates truth, but is also
insulting the Athma that is present in everyone. However wiseman have said that while one may occasionally swerve from the path of truth in order to avoid undeserved harm to others, one can never utter a lie to save oneself from harm.
Bhagwan Mahavir's teachings instill an element of justice. Our hope and prayer is that the spread of Mahavir's message
would lead to a change in the mindset of an individual making him a better man. Naturally such an improvement would contribute to the improvement of the role of family, which in turn would result in a better ordered and socially just society. The inevitable result would be a better family of nations and eventually a harmonious world.
"Ahimsa' - The Only Way To Glorify Man!
- Arun Kantharia
s we all know, basically, things that ordinarily fall within lending a helping hand to secall faiths have one and the range or human ambitions. tarianism and religious fanatithe same objective,
True, the craving for peace cism which ultimately leads to namely, enabling the and tranquility is inherently terrorism. The need of the hour human soul to attain its full ingrained in man. Furthermore, therefore, is, creation of a height of evolution so that man every saint, every philosopher, healthy environment by shedcan achieve peace. We are also every wise and prudent man has ding destructive, imperialistic, well aware, we are living in advocated peace. Every religion materialistic and totalitarian times of revolution - in fact in a has also tried to advance the tendencies. troubled world, where different causes of peace and protesta
personally believe that relicultures, different civilizations tions against war, and yet, let's gion based on 'Ahimsa' (non-vioand various religions are stand- admit, our deep-rooted hatred, lence) is the only way to glorify ing on firm ground, each vying power-politics, and thurst for man. It is on the foundation of for its own supremacy. This is expansionism, religious fanati- Ahimsa that we can bring about the age of science and technolo- cism and supremacy are growing religious unity and religious gy where weapons of death and fast day after day and all this in unity based on Ahimsa will do destruction are multiplying. If the blessed name of unity and greater good to mankind. If this we want to serve the future of peaceful co-existence. What a conference to celebrate "The humanity, it should be our shame!
year of Non-violence", makes us earnest endeavor to bring about With this scenario looming respectful towards other relia change in the minds and the large over us, the question thatgions - other human beings and hearts of the people.
comes for consideration is - how sends out a message loud and Today, we find a number of best this problem could be clear that there are no chosen faiths and religions, also differ- resolved! What is the solution? races, no chosen nations, no ent cults, prevelant in the world, What's the remedy? The right chosen individuals but each one each with a different philosophy, answer in times like this is that has in us the possibility of growdifferent approach, different - the world religious leaders ing into the divine, then, believe thinking, and different purpose. shed their petty differences, and me friends, we have done a All these create divisions among spiritual-minded people join remarkable job in the name of people and divisions among hands to work for humanity in brotherhood and peaceful cothemselves too. I do not think, general, to bring about 'one existence, to adore humanity. any prudent individual will world-government based on
And finally, let us not forget desire that there should be no Dharma. Unfortunately, various the noble concept of peace or that anarchy should religious bodies instead of creat- "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" reign! It is abundantly clear to ing an atmosphere of cordiality, (The world is one family). almost all of us that lawlessness mutual respect, love and peaceand massacres are not the
ful co-existence, are themselves
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