Book Title: Jain Concept of Peace
Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Z_Vijyanandsuri_Swargarohan_Shatabdi_Granth_012023.pdf

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Page 7
________________ tranquility i.e. peace.' Gautam again asked 'O, Lord what is the ultimate goal of self', Mahavira answered O, Gautam! the ultimate goal of self is also to attain tranquility or peace." In Sutrakrtanga, the term peace is equated with emanicipation. Thus for Jainas peace, being an assential nature of sve-svabhava or self, it is considered as ultimate goal of life. In Jainism, religion is nothing but a practice for the realisation of one's own essential nature or Sva-Svabhava which is nothing but the state of tranquility or peace of mind. This enjoying of one's own essential nature means to remain constant in Saksibhava i.e. to remain undisturbed by external factors. It is the state of pure subjectivity which is technically known in Jainism as Samayika. In this state the mind is completely free from constant flickerings, excitements and emotional disorders. Getting freedom from mental tensions, which are the vibhavas or impure states of mind is the precondition for enjoying spiritual happiness which is also a positive aspect of inner peace. Nobody wants to live in a state of mental tensions, every one would like no tension but relaxation, not anxiety but contentment. This shows that our real nature is working in us for tranquility or mental peace. Religion is nothing but a way of achieving this inner peace. According to Jainism, the duty of a religious order is to explain the means by which man can achieve this peace inner as well as external. In Jainism the method of achieving mental peace is called as Samayika, which is the first and foremost duty among six essential duties of a monk and a house- holder. Now the question is how this tranquility (Samata) can be attained? According to Jaina view-point it can be attained through the practice of non-attachment' for attachment is the sole cause of disturbing our inner peace or tranquility. Attachment, the cause of mental tensions As I have already mentioned that most burning problem of our age is the problem of mental tensions. The nations, which claim to be more civilised and economically more advanced are much more in the grip of mental tension. The main objective of Jainism is to emanicipate man from his sufferings and mental tensions. First of all, we must know the cause of these mental tensions. For Jainism the basic human sufferings are not physical, but mental. These mental sufferings or tensions are due to our attachment towards worldly objects. It is the attachment, which is fully 122 Shri Vijyanand Suri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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