Atma the Self

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

Page 70

.... ATMA *
The Self....
'The secret life of plants is an extraordinary and exciting catalogue of discoveries mostly inexplicable, often incredible, but fraught (if we credit some of the fantastic results) with the seeds of total scientific revolution.'
The Jain ecological philosophy is virtually synonymous with the principle of Ahimsa (harmlessness). Bhagavāna Mahāvīra proclaimed a profound truth for all times to come, when he said, 'One who neglects or disregards the existence (life) of earth, air, fire, water, and vegetation, disregards his own existence which is entwined with them'.
Life is viewed as a gift of togetherness, accomodation and assistance - mutual dependence, in a universe teeming with inter-dependent constituents.
The universal interdependence underpins the 'Jaina Theory of Knowledge', known as 'Anēkāmtavāda' or 'The Doctrine of Manifold Aspects'. 'Anēkāmtavāda' describes the world as a multifaceted everchanging reality with an infinity of viewpoints (Naya) depending upon the time, place, nature and state of the one, who is the viewer and that which is viewed. This leads to the 'Doctrine of Syādvāda' or relativity which states that truth is relative to different viewpoints.
In their use of earth's resources Jainas say that, wants should be reduced, desires curbed and consumption-levels kept within reasonable limits. Using any resource beyond one's needs and misuse of any part of nature is considered as a form of theft. Jaina Faith further declares unequivocally that waste and creation of pollution are acts of violence.
Carelessness, Wastefulness and lack of Compassion for all living beings including earth, water, fire, air and vegetation bodies is unforgivable extreme sin. The Soul of each and everyone of us goes through perpetual cycle of births and deaths in the aforesaid different bodies wandering amongst them according to its conduct, from the beginningless time in the past and until the day we are liberated.
'TREAT ALL LIVING BEINGS AS THYSELF WITH REVERENCE'.
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