ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 32

compassion, a sociology of aesthetics that has dramatically changed the world and will continue to effect change."
The Jain concept of live and let live helps in removing the delusion crowding human minds engrossed as they are in material progress for themselves without caring for the interests of other lesser privileged human beings, as well as other living beings. Exploitation of cruelty, towards and insensitivity to other living beings arises out of narrow centric selfishness, greed and ego. But if one realises how entire life on earth is interdependent, one would avoid getting tied to evil karmas, and through live and let live move towards discovering the divine within. It is through 'live and let live' that humanity can tackle the rampant fear, hatred, deceipt and oppression at all levels.
Thus, "Live and let live" encompasses the virtues of tolerance (sahișaņutā), coexistence (saha-astitva), compassion (karuņā), large-heartedness (Sahrdayatā), sympathy (Sahānubhūti), kindness (Dayā) and forgiveness (Kșamā). It is due to the diminishing focus on such attributes that the humanity is drifting towards escalating violence in all walks of life, annihilating terrorism and rapidly disappearing ethical values.
The true essence of the Jain art of living is "be happy and make others happy", and one can be happy only when one makes others happy. The fountain source for the ethical art of living is the trinity of Ahimsā, Aparigraha and Anekānta. Together in an integrated manner they provide the framework for life ethics. Together they fortify the foundations of synthesis, equanimity and tolerance.
1.6 Jainism - The Religion of Anekānta In the search for 'Satya and in the effort to achieve Samyak-darśana (Right and Rational perception), Samyak-jñāna (Right and Rational knowledge), and Samyak-cāritra (Right and Rational conduct), Jain philosophy lays fundamental emphasis on truth not being absolute, but relative. For gaining access to pure knowledge and wisdom, one needs to rationally take into account multiple arguments, interpretation and viewpoints concerning any issue. One should not proceed that one's point of view is the only correct one. One should not harbour prejudiced and prejudged conception of any reality.
Acharya Sushil Kumar observes "If knowledge is complimented by liberal, impartial and polite outlook, positive inquisitiveness, then it can become the source of tremendous selfconfidence. On the other hand if knowledge is accompanied by a narrow, partial, intolerant
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