Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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SCHOOL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
स्वाध्याय
परमे
Thus Jains are known for their generosity and sharing their wealth earned and do not get obsessed by it.
3.0
Mahavira's social engineering
The present presiding deity of Jains is Mahāvīra, who attained liberation some 2535 years ago. Even though he hailed from a rich family, yet he gave up all his worldly wealth to activate divine knowledge associated with his soul and free himself from the cycle of birthdeath-birth. We also see from his sermons and his own life style that he was aware of the social ills prevailing and hence initiated steps to overcome these. Some of the examples of his actions/sermons with social overtones are discussed below.
3.1
Metaphysical
His definition of reality as endowed with permanence, origination and destruction i.e. persistence with change or being and becoming was remarkable in bringing various monist thinkers together and eliminate or minimize the violence indulged in by followers of different faiths. He thus declared both materialistic and mental things as everlasting existents.
3.2
Socio-ethical method
He affected tremendous social change through the promulgation of the socio-ethical values of Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekanta.
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Ahimsa: In Acarangal he says 'None of the living beings ought to be killed or deprived of life ought to be ruled or enslaved or possessed or put to unrest'. Further in Prasnavyäkaraṇa he designates social Ahimsa as kindness, compassion, security, fearlessness and so on. Social Ahimsa of Mahāvīra begins with the awareness of the existence of others and their right to exist like one's own. He says that all living beings, like you, do not wish to have pain nor do they wish to die resulting in the current Jain slogan 'Live and let live' or living beings cooperate with each other is another Jain slogan reflecting this doctrine of social Ahimsa of Mahāvīra.
Methods used by Mahāvīra for Social transformation by Prof K.C.Sogani published by ISJS in Study Notes 7First limb of 12 limbs of Jain canons
8Seventh limb of Jain Canons
9 Parasparopagraho jīvānām/Tattvärtha-sūtra by Umāsvāti V.21
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