ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 142

SCHOOL
•
SELF STUDY IS THE
SUPREME AUSTERITY
स्वाध्याय
OF
परमे
9 The Praśnavyakaraṇa Sūtra,2/1
Mahāvīra talked of Social Ahimsa 9 (practicing Ahimsa as a householder in day to day worldly life) as compassion, equanimity, forgiveness, tolerance, love, service, friendship, kindness, security, solitariness, fearlessness, non-killer and so on. Mahatma Gandhi practiced this social Ahimsa all the time to achieve independence for India. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela and today Anna Hazare used this for the uplift their people.
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
NN STUDIES
Anekanta: Pluralism or multiplicity of viewpoints.
Mahāvīra realized that differences in opinions/viewpoints amongst different people emanate from their intellectual capabilities and the differences in the nature of things based on the definition of reality as with persistence and change simultaneously. Truth is infinite and no one, like us, can know it completely. Different aspects of things are to be understood as different aspects of the TRUTH The well known example of seven blind men and the elephant amply demonstrates the application of this principle.
MES
A new man or a new society cannot be visualized on the basis of individual beliefs in isolation. Perhaps the key lies in the change in our view/way of thinking and attitude. The attitude YOU or ME has to change to YOU and ME to achieve the cherished goal for a change to better. Jain doctrine of anekanta (multiplicity of viewpoints) provides a basis to achieve this. Its three pillars are:
Tolerance and respect for other's viewpoints/customs rigidity by giving up rigidity or instance that I am right and others are wrong.
• Co-existence-cooperation with others i.e. existence of opposites at the same time is reality; love and service are the need of the day.
Relativity i.e. we are all related meaning our actions affect not only us but others as well. Thus my independence is relative to the independence of others as well.
Aparigraha:
Mahāvīra knew that the root cause of all ills associated with socio-economic inequalities is disproportionate possession of wealth by few individuals. Thus he gave religious cum social overtones to non possession and asked his householder disciples to limit their possessions and share the rest (surplus) with others i.e. minimize possessiveness for spiritual uplift. He never told his disciples not to work or earn as Jainism is also known as śramaņa tradition
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