Ahimsa and Jainism

Author(s): Vijayvallabhsuri
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi

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at the hands of followers of other religions. Dr. Saletore has rightly observed: “The principal of Ahimsa was partly responsible for the greatest contributions of the Jains to Hindu culture-that relating to toleration. Whatever may be said concerning the rigidity with which they maintained their religious tenets and the tenacity and skill with which they met and defeated their opponents in religious disputations, yet it cannot be denied that the Jains fostered the principle of toleration more sincerely and, at the same time, more successfully than any other community in India."
The principle of Ahimsa has great potential significance, because it is basic in concept and universal in its moral implications. That is why Mahatrna Gandhi rightly interpreted it, along with Satya, Truth, for the modern world; these two principles can be looked upon as universal moral norms to judge the behaviour of man, individually and collectively.
The results of the two World Wars have disappointed and disillusioned the thinking man. Brute force by one organised group over the other may bring about subjection, but soon it evokes resistance with redoubled force. Fraud and force
niay succeed temporarily, but they cannot serve