Int Jain Sangh NJ 2003 04 Mahavir Jayanti

Author(s): Int Jain Sangh NJ
Publisher: USA International Jain Sangh IJS

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Sometimes we also face problems when people look at the things from purely spiritual perspective. The acceptance and implementation of the literal meaning of non verifiable assumptions and scriptures can sometimes drive the faithful to commit crimes. Since the ancient periods of various scriptures, there has been a phenomenal increase in human knowledge and the world has become significantly smaller. We should analyze and adopt those principles or values, which make us, better human beings and condemn those, which push us toward hatred.
A combination of strong beliefs, unverifiable assumptions and impatience to achieve a goal can impel a person to the acts of terrorism. Jainism places great emphasis on the right conduct in daily life aided by right knowledge and right vision. As long as we keep. broadening our understanding, we will not fall in to narrow ideas. If we raise our conduct to higher levels, the moral blossoming of the society will definitely occur.
In early 1980s I met and was inspired by the Late Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj (popularly known as Guruji), the first Jain monk to travel outside of India. He did significant work with politicians in India to reduce ethnic tensions. According to him, politicians or politics can not bring peace. In that system one person represents the elected government, or the party and not the whole country. The politicians can misuse the power at any time. If you are fighting for your own rights, you are bringing one fighting in place of another. You are adding violence and war. When we do not demand any rights for ourselves and when we are ready to protect the rights of others that is the system of nonviolence. Ultimately, Mahatma Gandhi had also become a complete follower of nonviolence. In Guruji's words, without nonviolence there will be no future of this world. Nonviolence means we love all. You feel oneness with all living beings. Love.
We live in a society of temptations surrounded by violence. We have enough arms and nuclear weapons to destroy the earth several times. We have our own beliefs and our own paths to achieve our goals. Some times, these paths will cross each other and that is when we have to be careful. If we want a peaceful world, we must learn to live together or we will perish together. You can not put poison in one part of the lake and not be affected by it at all. We must realize that when we harm another, we harm ourselves. We need to civilize our hearts.
Finally, one has to remain focused to the broad objective of cultivating the right spirit and raising the society toward a culture of peace and justice. Every moment is a new beginning. No matter what we have done before, we can start fresh by first becoming peaceful with ourselves. If we challenge ourselves to be truthful, reduce anger and greed, and consider ethical implications before taking any action, our individual choices and actions combined with others will make a difference. Then truly this world would become a better place for our children and grand children.
(Summary of the presentation made by the author in the Interfaith dialogue "Beyond Violence" held at Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, Pennsylvania, in June 2002.)
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