ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 68

Jainism is a mode of the living beings. Every Principle and sentence of Jainism talks of the benefit for the living beings. Jain texts describe the spiritual and moral purity of conduct and fulfilling one's duties to achieve supreme State ultimately. Men used to live under the shadow of his duties during medieval times while today the same man lives under the shadow of Human Rights. He is forgetting slowly the Man's duties but keeps on man's rights only. If everyone performs his duty sincerely, then all others automatically get their rights as well. If every human being observes the five vows like non-violence etc even partially then the other living beings automatically will not be pained and get the opportunity and rights to exist and do the same.
Jainism, while talking of the five vows, has in fact raised its voice against exploitation and suppression of other living beings. As per Jain doctrine, basis of non-violence is the equality of all living beings to exist and prosper. All souls, be they belong to gross or subtle or stationery or mobile living beings are metaphysically equal and similar. If every human being considers others as equal to him, and seeking same rights to live and prosper as he; then this philosophic truth that all living beings which progress and happiness as he wishes, then he will not exploit others. He will protect, preserve and enhance the doctrine of Human Rights as enshrined in the constitution and international law of children. To give pain to others who depend on him or to make them work beyond their capacity4 are the two flaws against vow of non-violence. If these flaws are eliminated from the conduct of the individual practitioner, then exploitation of the children and unemployed will be eliminated. It appears that Jain ācāryas have visualized these problems of the future while their texts and the same were given validity by constitutional and other international declarations.
By observing the vow of non-possession, we can eliminate economic exploitation of the weaker sections of the society. Jainism believes that one should acquire only as much wealth or property as is needed for a comfortable life and no more. Similarly Jainism talks of each human being to consume only that much food and non-food items as are needed for comfortable life so that others can use the remaining commodities. This way the property,
3 Arhanniti, ii.2 4 Avaśyaka (Haribhadrīya Vrtti) p. 819b
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