Equanimity Philosophy and Practice

Author(s): Nanesh Acharya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

Page 72

Mahavira's way of Equanimous Thinking : : From the historical studies this fact is explicitly clear that Lord Parshwanath and Mahavira had first of all offered a systematic and concrete thinking on Equanimity. When the human society was writhing, entangled in the manoeuvre of heterogeneousness and violence, then after deep thinking Lord Mahavira let loose such nourished current of equanimity that inspite of changes of time, is still a source of inspiration. After a correct analysis of this line of thinking and the thinking followed afterwards, if the explicitness of the Doctrine of Equanimity be grasped today and then translated into action, undoubtedly thereafter the human society can be turned to the path of all round homogeneity.
Mahavira had clearly elaborated both the aspects of conception and practice of equanimity. He did not stop after expounding this doctrine, but together with these maxims he demonstrated them by his practical action. Before'making a correct study of the modes of afterthinkers we should first properly assimilate Mahavira's exposition of Equanimity. This will be more appropriate and convenient also in interpreting the Doctrine of Equanimity in the light of modern perspective,
Proclamation : All The Souls Are identical :
First of all Mahavira recognised the primordial point of equanimity and demonstrated. He announced that all souls are identical (similar) i.e. the faculty of accomplishing highest self-evolution equally lies innate in all the souls (every soul is potentially divine). Of course, it is a problem to bloom forth and develop that faculty, but there is no