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reason for the endless parleys and treaties and talks of disarmament, limiting of arms, and world peace.
On serious thinking it becomes evident that both the sides are interested neither in war nor in peace. They want to perpetuate the atmosphere of war and terror so as to be able to sell the arms and ammunitions produced in their factories at maximum price. They encourage such tensions by selling arms to some of their favoured countries and instigate them to spread the reign of terror. These small countries attack other countries. Now these great powers talk of world peace and start working on some treaty. Such efforts ultimately end into treaties that once again benefit these great powers because they define the terms. The warring sides are forced to purchase more weapons. The big powers take maximum advantage of this situation. Their war-industry thrives with the sale of good as well as substandard materials.
In fact, the states today are business organizations irrespective of the ideology or system they subscribe to. The stark reality is that for these states war has become a business. With the spread of apprehension of war the sale of equipment of war, transportation, and communication will increase. The defense treaties by big powers are nothing but means of exploitation.
JAINISM AND WORLD PEACE
Except those with vested interests, the four billion people of this world want peace. They want a peace that is free of fear and terror. They do not want the graveyard-like peace of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They require assurance of security, a peace that cannot be undisturbed, a security that cannot be breached. A more powerful weapon can disturb a peace enforced by a weapon. Bomb-like means of destruction cannot guarantee permanent security. It is time to change the atmosphere that gave us Hydrogen bomb, missiles, and satellites. It is necessary to change those values of life that filled countries, races, and classes with mutual antagonism and distrust by corrupting all beliefs. The awareness that fire cannot extinguish fire and animosity cannot pacify animosity has to be evoked in man. War is the breeding ground of a new war.
Jain Education International
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