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Individual and society
It is unbelievable that beyond a feeble protest, the world at large simply retreats into silence after every dastardly act of violence. Where are our religious leaders who propogate nonviolence, compassion and kindness in times like this? Where is non-violence? Where is compassion? Where is the humanity that every religion claims as its own? Does religion not have an answer then? Is it impotent - watching helplessly while man transforms into a monster?
As the world stands torn apart, the greatly debated issue is whether the individual should come first or the society. According to me, an integration is what is needed. Both individual and society must be interdependent and of mutual help to each other. Neither can progress by negating the other. This is the anekānta of Jainism, a multipronged view. If we look at these two aspects from an anekanta point of view, we will see them in a new light. The individual and the collective will merge. Manyin-one and one-in-many. Only then can mankind move ahead as a united force to face the challenges of a changing world.
Jain Education International
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