JAINA Convention 2007 07 Edison NJ

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 62

PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
Famous philosopher cum thinker C.D.M. Judd writes, 'Unity in diversity is the unique contribution of Indian culture and I consider it to be the biggest gift to the mankind'.
Max Mueller, the 19th century luminary German philosopher, known for his love and devotion for Indian philosophy one said, 'If I ask myself the question as to which religious literature have given us the Europeans, bred on Greek, Roman and Jew thought processes, the formula to make us spiritually enriched and more internationally oriented or briefly more humane, then without any hesitation, my finger will point to Jain literature'.
HH Lokesh Muni munilokesh india@yahoo.co.in
Similarly unique philosopher cum thinker and devotee of international humanitarianism of 20th century Romyarola writes, 'If there is a place on this earth where from the earliest days of human civilization, all the dreams of human beings found a base and prospered, then that place is India'.
There is no doubt that research on diversity of existence and viewpoints is the pinnacle of non-violence (ahinsa). As soon as the world recognizes this and owns it, it will be able to start achieving international peace soonest.
Reconciliation, co-existence and independence are all synonyms of the same basic element. Jains call this basic element non-violence at physical level and Anekanta (multiplicity of viewpoints) at the mental level. To dissuade commoners from acts of violence Jain philosophy preached Non-Violence while for dissuading thinkers and philosophers from violence, it established the doctrine of Anekanta. The major benefit of Anekanta doctrine is that it protects an individual from insistence on bad / ill deeds and thoughts. This philosophy establishes the intellectual non-violence. Anekanta tries to give birth to reconciliation amongst many philosophies existing in India at any time as well as bring harmony and eliminate bitterness in thought processes of the philosophers thereby keeping their mental processes free from flaws and hatred towards others.
Munishree Lokprakash Lokesh
renounced the world and received Diksha from Late
Acharya Shri Tulsi in 1983 at the age of 22. He has studied
many Holy Scriptures of Jainism, Buddhism and Vedanta in depth. Muniji is master of meditation, Yoga and
peace education. His mission in life is to spread
the message of Ahimsa (Non-violence), peace and harmony. He has written over twelve books consisting of both poems and essays. His literature
has been translated
in several languages including English, Gujarati, Tamil, Bangla, and German.
This is why the doctrine of Anekanta was so dear to the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi. He writes that earlier he used to think himself as right and others as ignorant and opponents. Now I have started loving my opponents because I have now started looking at myself from the viewpoint of my opponents. My Anekanta is the outcome of the principles of nonviolence and truth.
Basis of co-existence, living together as citizens of a nation and the world and doctrine of Panchsheel is the doctrine of Anekanta and it can also be the basis of the world peace. By following Anekanta doctrine, we can free the world from terrorism, wars and violence.
14" Biennial AINA Convention 2007
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PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE