Jaganmohanlal Pandita Sadhuwad Granth

Author(s): Sudarshanlal Jain
Publisher: Jaganmohanlal Shastri Sadhuwad Samiti Jabalpur

Page 175

२६ प. जगन्मोहनलाल शास्त्री साधुवाद ग्रन्थ
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This is an important question which is of practical importance. Our religion and traditions point in one direction. The pace of modern technological society impels us in another direction. Our values in some ways are different from those we observe in our present environment. There are questions of parties, entertainment, dating, parental discretion, personal freedom, marriage, divorce, etc. These problems are facing us, especially the teenagers of Indian background and their parents living outside India. This is, say, the positive aspect ; namely, we are facing the conflicts of the two cultures.
Now, let us look at the problem from another angle of vision. Human nature is basically the same. Human values are basically the same. The ten commandments of the Christian religion and the five vows of Jains-both teach us the way to lead a peaceful life. Parents in the West have the samne concern for the wellbeing of their children as do parents in other parts of the world. Thus, we arrive at the negative aspect; namely, there is no conflict of the two cultures.
A confluence of the above two aspects appears to be closer to reality. Suppose we go to a party. The religious system that we have selected for ourselves excludes drinking and nonvegetarian foods. However, social drinking is an accepted custom in the West. Just because of this, do we have to drink at a party? Do we have to take non-vegetarian food ? The answer to these questions is No. There are Westerners who do not drink. There are people who hold a significant status in society and who are vegetarians. We can follow the examples of such people rather than adopt the practices of social drinking and of non-vegetarianism. In every situation, we can design a compromise without compromising the basic teachings of our religion. This approach may be considered as the confluence of the positive and negative aspects.
Finally, let us discuss this question on the basis of the confluence of positive and negative, inexpressible aspect. Let us assume that a person conducts himself properly and avoids conflicts between the Eastern and the Western cultures. He is well-liked by his family and relatives, friends and peers. Relativism tells us that this does not guarantee that he will be having or not having any future problems,
The above examples illustrate how we can practice relativism. The practice of relativism will help us in avoiding conflicts, violence, anger, aggravation, etc. It will help us develop a rational outlook towards life which is the key to peace and harmony.