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GLOBAL IMPACT OF JAINISM
In this era of globalization and growing east-west-north-south contacts in a rapidly shrinking world, time has come to recognize the need for increasingly globalised perception of spirituality, and the valuable role inter-faith constructive engagement can play in this regard. Historically the religions of the world have not necessarily grown in isolation; they have enriched one another in diverse ways at significant points of contact, while maintaining their distinct identity. This has happened in the early centuries between Jainism. Buddhism and Hinduism. Together they have woven the tapestry of the pluralistic heritage of India. Jain religion with its central focus on Ahimsa as a compassionate ethic has made an abiding impact not only on India's cultural moorings, but in recent times inspired Mahatma Gandhi's successful non-violent struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Indeed, India's cultural mindset has been deeply influenced by the Jain perception of non-violence not as a negation of violence only, but as a point of origin of virtues such as forgiveness, mutual supportiveness, tolerance, self-control, fearlessness, synthesis and equanimity.
Dr. Narendra P. Jain Dr. N.P.Jain, E-50, Saket,
Indore (M.P.) India. drnpiain@yahoo.co.in
Michael Tobias, a noted American Jain scholar has observed:
"Jainism. India's and possibly the world's oldest religion is a quiet and overwhelmingly serious way of life, a cultural insistence on compassion, a sociology of aesthetics that has dramatically changed the world, and will continue to effect change. Jainism is a momentous example to all of us that there can and does exist a successful ecologically responsible way of life which is abundantly non-violent in thought, action and deed."
Dr. Narendra P. Jain is
the former India's Ambassador to Nepal, European Union, Belgium,
Mexico, and U. N.
as well as Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs,
Government of India, New Delhi. He is a noted
economist, ardent
environmentalist, poet, prolific writer,
eloquent orator, and a renowned Jain scholar.
Dr. Jain is the Executive President of the World Jain
Confederation and has been a speaker in numerous international
conferences. His articles on Jainism appear
on several websites of spiritual and interfaith
organizations.
Jain religion has, over many centuries, survived the vicissitudes of history and the competing claims of other faiths in multi-religious and multi-cultural India. By advocating a spirit of synthesis, it has contributed to the cultural pluralism that has characterized the growth of Indian culture and spirituality. While for many centuries it remained confined within the shores of India, it is especially in the 20th centuries that Jain businessmen, engineers, doctors and other professionals moved out and have settled far and wide in different countries and continents of the world, notably North America and Africa. It is to the credit of Jains settled abroad that they have not only been practicing their religion ritually, but have taken to actively propagating to non-Jains the relevance of the rational, scientific and deeply benevolent message of Jain philosophy in contemporary times when the world is confronted with everincreasing violence, intolerance, ethnic and racial discrimination, hatred, greed, exploitation of have-nots and terrorism.
In this context, it is pertinent to recall what some north Americans have to say once they were exposed to the principles and practices of Jain religion.
A transformed American Balbhadra Costain writes:
14th Biennial JAINA convention 2007
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