International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

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obverse and the converse of the same coin. From the spiritual point of view all the souls are identical in nature. The development of sensibility in man for sensing the sufferings of others is Karuna (Compassion). Kindness (Daya) is the conative expression of Karuna. The depth of Karuna is the criterion of the spiritually evolved souls. The values of Ahimsa, Samata and Karuna are of prime importance in Jainism. These values colour Jaina outlook with democratic flavour. Social freedom, socio-economic equality, welfare of all beings and ethico-spiritual secularism, and equality of both the sexes are the hall-marks of democratic set-up and Jaina philosophy subscribes to the development of democratic social consciousness in man. For a successful democracy, regard for the views of others is imperative. This is Anekantavada in society. It is the social principle of open-mindedness and intellectual tolerance. It is of capital importance to note that Ahimsa fructifies in an atmosphere of Aparigraha, which we can cultivate by following the principle of 'trusteeship' advocated by Gandhiji. All this shows that the principles of Jainism are very much relevant to the solution of the present-day problems facing the world wherein nuclear weapons are piling up, international tensions are constantly growing, exploitation and possessiveness are not uncommon and co-existence and mutual assistance are in danger. It goes without saying that the fundamental principles of Jainism have come down to us through the Agamas preserved in the Ardhamagdhi and Sauraseni Prakrita languages. On the Agamic literature, number of commentaries have been written. The non-Agamic literature of the Jainas has been written in various languages like Prakrita, Apabhramsa, Sanskrita, Tamila, Telgu, Kannada, Gujarati, Rajasthani and Hindi. The subjects covered are varied, such as logic, philosophy, poetics, grammar, astronomy, astrology, geography, lexicography, mathematics and medicine. The narrative literature of the Jainas is voluminous. It has to be added here that Pali canon of the Buddhists discusses some of the doctrines of the Jainas. Besides, the literature of Jaina mathematics reveals that the text, Ganitasarasamgraha by the Jaina scholar Mahaviracarya (850 A.D.) is perhaps the first book wholly dealing with mathematics. The knowledge of Jaina mathematics can also be gleaned from the Agamic literature. As regards medicine, the Kalyanakaraka of Ugraditya (8th cent.) seems to be the original contribution of the Jainas to Ayurveda, though the Agamic literature discusses the treatment of patients by medicine and surgery. In Karnataka, Gujrat, and Rajasthan the literature on Ayurveda has been abundantly written, Nowhere in the Ayurvedic literature, the doctrine of Ahimsa has been violated. Because of the cultural importance of Jaina literature, both Agamic and non-Agamic, the foreign scholars from Japan, Germany, England, U.S.A., France etc. have been attracted towards its study and research. In regard to journalism, the Jaina Journalists deriving inspiration from the ancient democratic set-up have always fostered national and international consciousness and have always tried to make