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[ जैन धर्म का मौलिक इतिहास-भाग ३
and historically inevitable schisms in the principles and practices of the Jain religion. The Jain religion is par excellence the religion of Ahinsa in thought, word and deed. Because of this, women's role and contribution to Jainism has been of special significance (see for instance page 201 of the present volume). This role has also an important message and meaning for today's world moving, hopefully, towards the future age of Science and Ahinsa.
What is of the greatest sigoificance, particularly in the context of the Atomic Age, is the fact that despite the most violent, tumultuous and torturous times there have been individuals-saints and others, a succession of them who have kept alive the light of the supreme and the never failing ideal of Universal Love and Ahinsa, proclaimed, practised and preached by Lord Mahavira, and by Lord Buddha. The words of the great historian Arnold Toyanbee (Foreword to a book on Shri Ramkrishna) immediately come to mind in this connection :
"(In the Atomic Age) at this supremely dangerous moment in human history the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way. In the Atomic Age the whole human race has a utilitarian motive for following the Indian way. No utilitarian motive could be stronger or more respectable in itself. The survival of the human race is at stake. Yet even the strongest and most respectable utilitarian motive is only a secondary reason for taking... (the Indian way) to heart and acting on it. The primany reason is that this teaching is right-and is right because it flows from a true vision of spiritual reality.”
The UNESCO Charter opens with the words-"Since wars begin in the minds of man, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” (It reminds us of the opening stranzas of the Dhammapada.)
The great, poignantly imperative question is : How can this be done, achieved ? So far very little has happened in that direction though the need is desperate and it is universal. This gives an added importance and relevance to publications such as the present one dealing with men's explorations and adventures in the realm of self-control (ATH) and Ahinsa. The two go together. In the Hind Swaraj, Gandhiji declared that Swaraj is self control. The Geeta proclaimed (11-61):
वशेहि यस्येन्द्रियारिण तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता
It is he alone whose senses are under control, that his intelligence (mind) cap perceive truth ind act accordingly. Einstein says :-"The true
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