Gems of Jainism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

Page 89

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Gems of Jainism
values, all spring from Truth, Goodness and Beauty. Philosophically we may classify values into Eternal or permanent Values and Relative or Changing Values.
Values in Jainism are embodied in the canonical texts. Since we are concerned about the values for Modern world we will talk not of all the values but only the most prominent and important ones which have direct relevance with the modern world.
Jaina religions' main concern is purification of human life and thus the upliftment of mankind. It gives five cardinal principles or five great vows : non-violence, non-falsehood, non-sex, non-theft and non-accumulation. Popularly these are known as truthfulness (Satya), non-violence (ahimsā), non-stealing or honesty (asteya), non-possession (aparigraha) and celibacy (brahmacarya). Each of these vows is ultimately an eternal moral value, and amongst these all the Jaina religion and Lord Mahavira gave much importance to the vow or value ot non-violence - Ahimsā.. The Jaina religion insists on non-violence in action, in thought and in speech. Nonviolence is not only against killing somebody but is against “mutual jealousies, hatred, conflicts and pride resulting from wealth and feeling of high and low”. Dr. A.N. Upadhye notes Dr Saletore's observation "The principle (value) of ahimsa was partly responsible for the greatest contribution of the Jains to Hindu culture that relating to toleration”28 “Of all the Darshanas, Jainism is the only one which has the principle of Ahimsã as its central doctrine. The other Darshanas also speak of Ahimsā whenever convenient but they never offer such loyalty to the principle of Ahimsā as is found in Jainism” 29.
According to Jainism Truth does not mean abstaining from falsehood only, but also to see the world in its natural and real form. Truth harmful to others is not permitted. Truth is always to be upholded through noble speech and peaceful mind; and the absence of artificiality in the observance of truth. Such truthfulness, according to Jainism, lies in the heart of non-violence, as untruthful speech is always hurting others.