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JAINISM AND THE CONCEPT OF EQUALITY
[Interview given to Millennium Institute, Arlington, VA, USA on the eve of the 1999 Parliament of World's Religions.]
The issue is the perspective of Jain religion concerning a proper relationship with those who differ in gender, race, ethnicity, culture, class, politics or religion.
Jain religion is an open and democratic religion with a comprehensive perception of reality. It is indeed a way of life. One does not have to be born Jain to practice ain religion. One does not have to be converted to it. One can start practicing its tenets in individual and collective life without any ritual or ceremony. The important point is that Jain religion puts due stress on an individual's social responsibilities as an integral part of his struggle for self-emancipation. Thus to be kind hearted, one must actually do good to others, not exploit, cheat, abuse or harm them. What is also important is that Jain religions regards all souls as equal be it those of humans or any other living beings - small or big
As a religion, its doors are open to anyone irrespective of place, region or country of birth or colour, caste or creed or sex.
By its very essence, Jain religion does not subscribe to division of society by caste, colour or creed. It regards men and woman as equals. As per the Swetambar Jain sect, one of the 24 Apostles (Tirthankaras) of Jain religion was a woman called Mallinaath.
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