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solace, but to their own enhancing inner confidence and determination to rebuild peace in and around them.
Let us expand this very vision from this test case to the global stage. If we put before ourselves the theme of this book, “Ahimsa the ultimate winner" in its universal as well as historical perspective, we come to the following salient points:
1) Human ingenuity and creativity has flourished in manifold dimensions only in an environment of peace and non-violence.
2) Ethical values flowing from religious faiths have been guiding stars in search of soul satisfying happiness for self as well as society.
3) Preservation and strengthening of the divine web of interdependence among all humans, other living beings and elements of nature is a prerequisite for universal survival and growth.
4) Escalating hatred, intolerance, violence and terrorism are eroding human achievements in scientific, material and spiritual fields;
5) Drawing faith and moulding code of conduct in day-today life from ethical religious teachings of non-violence and tolerance can greatly contribute to enhancing human integrity and promoting justice, equality and mutual respect.
6) Realizing that true living “Dharma” is not in reading scriptures and committing them to heart but is manifested in acts of compassion and selfless service especially towards the poor, the needy and the deprived.
7) The supremely non-violent Jain philosophy provides a very firmly rooted base for the basic concepts of democracy. Anekant equality and freedom are expressions of non-violence. These are also ingrained in the concept of democracy and serve to strengthen the democratic structure of polity as well as society.
As we have seen in previous chapters, Jainism is a philosophy of peace, environment and non-violence. It seeks to promote tolerance
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