Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 82

Bhagavān Mahāvīra
but not with those who think differently. We want to elimiuate the latter. This is all-pervading conflict; this is war. Looking into the crux of this problem Bhagavān Mahāvira said, “How superficial man's vision is ! He does not enter into even a little depth of things. How great is unity below the apparent diversity ! Unity and diversity are the go-togethers. There is no real contradiction between the two. Why should then man give importance to differences and try to eliminate opposition and the opponents ?”
This opposition is caused by our passions. "Passions breed violence and violence leads to conflict. Copflicts dis. appear as soon as passions have been pacified and the consciousness and mind has been purified. Unity as well as differences are the nature of things and both of them will remain. Once we develop the attitude of non-violence, differences disappear and co-existence becomes feasible. Non-violence is higher development of consciousness. Only those whose consciousness is not sufficiently developed treat others as different and hence opponents, and try to eliminate them. Those whose consciousness is developed do not pay attention only to differences. The moment they see differences, the underlying unity also is clearly perceived by them. This perspective of unity-cum-diversity is the real basis of co-existence. If there is total unity, there does not arise the question of co-existence. Co-existence comes into being only when there is another someone different. If there is only diversity, there cannot be any co-existence. The common basis required for co-existence is not available there. When there is some unity, and a common basis is available, and also when there is some diversity and peculiar specialities are available, then and then only the prigciple of co-existence takes a practical shape. It is only theo that non-violence spreads its radiance. Non-Violence and Synthesis
Mental violence is even worse than physical violonor.