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social Ahimsa. The entire doctrine of Jainism is based on the concept of soul and its activism (attribute called Virya) of self effort to achieve its worldly and trans-worldly objectives. The religious congregation of Mahavira was open to all, i.e. not just limited to human beings of different castes / creeds, levels of spiritual attainment but even to animals, birds and so on. Jain story literature dating back to over 2000 years is full of stories of the lowliest of low people and even living beings belonging to animal kingdom achieving spiritual awakening and enlightenment based on the sermons of Mahavira. Samantabhadra, 5th century Jainacharya has rightly said that Mahavira's creed is really the creed for the enlightenment of all i.e. Sarvodaya tirth.
Gandhi on Women
Empowerment of the women in India, i.e. from 'Abala'or helpless to 'Sabala or empowered / strong, had been very dear to Gandhi. Customs and practices like female infanticide, child marriage, Purdah (veil), dowry, polygamy, Sati (immolation on the pyre of the husband), repeated pregnancies, permanent and pathetic widowhood, illiteracy, wife beating and verbal abuse made life of common women very hard. Although some social reformers, missionaries and government had made efforts to remove some of the hardships of women, yet Gandhi gave a totally new perspective regarding gender equality through the application of Ahimsa. Gandhi, concerning women's role in society, said, "My contribution to the great problem lies in my presenting for acceptance of Truth and Ahimsa in every walk of life, whether for individuals or nations. Woman is the incarnation of Ahimsa. Ahimsa means infinite love, which again means infinite capacity for suffering. Who but woman, the mother of man, shows this capacity in the largest measure? She shows it as she carries the infant and feeds it during nine months and derives joy in the suffering involved. What can beat the
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