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THE FAMILY AND THE NATION
Acharya: You are blessed. What message did you get there? Kalam: I am humbled to share with you. Lord Mahavira taught that human beings derive their own salvation and that is through three jewels: Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. Mahavira rejected the demarcations of the caste system and raised his voice against all forms of intolerance and discrimination. He also resisted and rejected efficiency of rituals devoid of purity of thoughts, words and deeds. I could see a convergence between knowledge as power and knowledge for salvation. Acharya: Jain philosophy and ethics are virtually synonymous with the principles of ahimsa, which run through the Jain tradition like a golden thread. Ahimsa enjoys a singular centrality in the Jain faith. What else did you capture in Bihar? Kalam: Bihar is a blessed land. I visited the Bihar School of Yoga at Munger, which guides yoga projects and medical research associations with prestigious hospitals drawing inspiration from Adi Sankaracharya. I visited Khanquah Rahmani, a holy shrine established over hundred years ago by the eminent Sufi Hazrat Moulana Mohammed Ali. During the discussions that I had with some young people at the shrine, I shared one of the messages of the Prophet: When you speak, speak the truth. Perform what you promise. Discharge your trust. Withhold your hand from striking and taking, That which is unlawful and bad. Acharya: Let us follow this path and lead a noble life. Of course, you would have visited Bodh Gaya.
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