Book Title: Equanimity Philosophy and Practice
Author(s): Nanesh Acharya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

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Page 234
________________ should also be borne in mind that all that is old is not wrong nor all which is new is right. Hence, there should exist a swan-like discretion to judge which of the old values are significant with new creative force, and which new values inspite of being novel, possess no vitality. Values change and values-form-in this process such discretion should always remain in mind and especially for an Equanimous society this should be a subject of more awareness that the work of changing and forming the values should be with a pure creative vision. Order of Destruction and Creation : Change of value is the destructive aspect and creation of new value is the constructive aspect. It is indispensable to demolish the deteriorated values and on this very background, is laid the foundation-stone of new construction. In Jain philosophy this order has been acknowledged upto the highest standard. When the soul proceeds towards the supreme soul, its first step consists of destruction. The winner of the first successful step is called Arihant, one who destroys the foes is literally called Arihant. This destruction is not concerned with individuals, it is concerned with deteriorations (defects). No one throws away an alloy of gold, but by exacting its impurities through the hardest processes, he converts it into the purified form. In the same way the theory of the destruction of individuals is illusory. Be it a most deprived person, it should be the aim of any superb philosophy to purge out the vices of an individual and convert him into a noble person. Wherever there may be deterioration or incongruity-to wage struggle against it and destroy it-this should be the first step of pro Jain Education International 209 For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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