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

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Page 8
________________ responsible for them. The famous Jaina text Uttaradhyayanasutra mentions The root of all sufferings physical as well as mental of every body including gods, is attachment towards the objects of worldly enjoyment. It is the attachment, which is the root cause of mental tension. Only a detached attitude towards the objects of worldly enjoyment can free mankind from mental tension. According to Lord Mahavira to remain attached to sensuous objects is to remain in the whirl. He says 'misery is gone in the case of a man who has no delusion, while delusion is gone in the case of a man who has no desire; desire is gone in the case of a man who has no attachment. The efforts made to satisfy the human desires through material objects can be likened to the chopping off of the branches while watering the roots. Thus we can conclude that the lust for and the attachment towards the objects of worldly pleasure is the sole cause of human sufferings and conflicts. If mankind is to be freed from mental tensions it is necessary to grow a detached outlook in life. Jainism believes that the lesser the attachment, the greater will be the mental peace. It is only when attachment is vanished, the human mind will will be free from mental tensions and emotional disorders. Non-Possession to reslove economic inequality The attachment gives birth to desire for possession, occupation and hoarding, which is nothing but an expression of one's greedy attitude. It is told in Jaina scriptures that greediness is the root of all sins. It is the destroyer of all the good qualities. Anger, pride, deceit etc. all are the off shoots of attachment or mineness or greed. Violence, which disturbs our social and environmental peace, is due to the will for possession. In Sutrakrtange, it is mentioned that those having possession of whatever sort, great or small, living or non-living can not get rid of sufferings and conflicts (1/1/2). Possession and hoarding lead to economic inequality, which causes wars. Thus to achieve peace and the norm of nonviolence in social life, the prime need is to restrict the will for possession as well as physical possessions also, that is why Mahavira propounded the vow of complete non-possession for the monks and nuns while for laity, he propounded the vow of limitation of possession (Parigraha Parimana) and vow of control over consumption (Bhogopabhoga Parimana). Jainism holds that if we want to establish peace on the earth then econom Jaina Concept Of Peace 123 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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