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THE JAIN HERITAGE
By: Dr. N.P.Jain, Former Ambassador of India to European Union,
Nepal, U.N., Mexico and Belgium
Jainism is one of world's oldest religions with a truly multi-splendoured heritage. Its profound philosophy, all-life inclusive spirituality, knowledge-rooted scientific temper and the remarkable synergy of faith and reason have had an abiding impact on the ethical orientation of Indian culture and the development of its moral dimensions in terms of compassion, tolerance and cooperative interdependence
Mahavir In the pre-vedic era, the Jain "Shramana Sanskriti" ran parallel to the "Shaiva preached there Sanskriti" in an ambience of complementing one another. The intense regimen of
is nothing so
is not renunciation and restraint-the hallmark of Jain philosophy- put focus on every individual's inherent soul power for crafting a better life as a responsible member of the small and subtle society, as well as working for eventual salvation from the karmic bondage. It is pertinent that the founder Tirthankar Rishabhdeo has been mentioned with great as the atom, nor respect in all the four Vedas and subsequent Hindu religious texts. India's philoso
any element so pher President Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan has acknowledged it as well and paid tribute to the sagacity and wisdom of Rishabhdeo as a ruler (karmaveer) as well as vas Tirthankar ( Dharmaveer). Indeed the name Bharat of our country, was derived from the name of Bharat, his son. Later Indian history has been witness to the message of Similarly there is compassion and piety for all living beings by Tirthankar Neminath, of the positive
no quality of aspects of Ahimsa by Tirthankar Parshvanath, and above all of the integrated trinity of Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekant by Tirthankar Mahavir. Over the past 2500 years soul more subtle and more, Mahavir has sustained his image and stature of the unique apostle of Nonviolence
than non-vio
lence, and no Mahavir preached in the languages spoken by the common people and attracted to his fold men and women from all strata of society from the kings and queens to
virtue greater farmers, traders, scholars, fishermen, craftsmen, artisans and the downtrodden. His SAMOSHARAN eloquently depicts Jainism as a religion of not only peace, harmo
than reverence ny and tolerance, but also importantly as a religion of Environment. Mahavir has
for all life forms" emerged in Indian history as an outstanding exponent of Spiritual socialism, that regards all living beings as equals along with human beings based on the concept of equality of souls. His far-reaching message of active Ahimsa, concern for oppression and exploitation, amelioration of the downtrodden, self-restraint and control over multiplying wants, and the attitude of accommodation and synthesis of multiple views has vital relevance in contemporary times when the world is confronted with unbridled violence, ever-threatening terrorism, widespread racial and other forms of
1 Heritage in We.
Extending Jain H
vironment
? Western Environn
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