Jain Digest 2001 01 Vol 17 No 01

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

Page 16

THE ETERNAL MESSAGE OF JAIN WISDOM
The stream of knowledge has been incessantly flowing in India since times immemorial and credit for this goes to the seers, saints and Tirthankaras, who have guided and inspired mankind to tread the sublime path of righteousness in order to realise the truth.
JAIN TRADITION
Jain scholars trace its origins back through almost limiteless time. The present historians, however say that it is at least 5000 years old. A great generation of Tirthankaras, Acharyas, saints and scholars belonged to this tradition. Bhagwan Mahavira was twenty-forth Tirthankara of the present era.
He was not the founder of Jainism but was propounder of this great religion. He realised his true self and attained omniscience by practicing rigorous austerities and penances. A glimpse into his life shows that he was an embodiment of nonviolence and compassion. Although Mahavir (599 B.C. - 527 B.C.), preached 2500 years ago, his teachings are relevant even today and bear special significance for the spiritual advancement of mankind. His message is full of pragmatic optimism, self-reliance, self-discipline and self-purification to develop inherent and infinite potentialities of human self.
CONTRIBUTION OF JAIN FAITH
The contribution of Jain faith to Indian thought and life has been very significant. Actually, vegetarianism, as a habit prevailing throughout the Indian sub-continent, practiced by a large major
of
ity, is an evidence of Jain influence. Indian art, literature, architecutre, painting and sculpture as also every other aspect life have been greatly influenced by Jain thoughts. Jains are noted for the catholicity of their outlook and broad mindedness. The other significant contribution of Jainism is its harmonious and peaceful approach to life. The central themes of the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavira are non-violence, non-absolutism and nonpossession.
NON-VIOLENCE
Non-violence is equality of all living creatures. If you feel that every soul is independent and autonomous, you will never trample on its right to live. This leads you to compassion and kindness towards all living beings and results in harmony and peace in the world. The principle of non-violence in Jainism embraces not only human beings but also animals, birds, plants, vegetables and creatures in earth, air and water. It is the holy law of compassion extended to body, mind and speech of a living being. Bhagwan
14/JAIN DIGEST. SPRING 2001 Jain Education International 2010_02
Duli Chand Jain 'Sahitya - Ratna', Secretary, Research Foundation for Jainology, Chennai
Mahavir says, "All living beings desire to live". They detest sorrow and death and desire a long and happy life. Hence one should not inflict pain on any creature, nor have any feeling of antipathy or enmity. One should be friendly towards all creatures (Acaranga Sutra, 1.2.3.4.)
POSITIVE ASPECTOF NON-VIOLENCE
The positive aspect of non-violence implies forgiveness, kindness, charity and service. This has been beautifully explained in a verse by the renowned Acharya Amitagati of the 11th century A.D. as follows.
Satvesu maitri gunisu pramodam klistes jive krpaparatuam madhyasahabhavam siparitettu
sada mamatma vidadhatu deva! - Samayika Patha, 1 i.e., friendship towards all beings, respect for the qualities of virtuous people, utmost compassion for the afflicted beings and equanimity towards those who are not well disposed towards me - may my soul have these dispositions for ever.
All other vows prescribed in Jainism are only an extension of the vow of non-violence. Truthfulness is essential to keep order and harmony in society. There are moments in life when one has to work hard to keep up one's convictions. In business and in our day-to-day dealings our truthfulness is put to test. We have to practise it constantly to maintain our integrity. While observing the vow of non-stealing, one is required to earn his livelihood by holding what is not needed by us. What we possess in surplus has honest means. We violate the vow of Aprigraha by accepting and to go to those who need it badly. The principle of continence is significant in maintaining the morals in society. Thus we see that character and are applicable to every individual in any society. these principles, preached by Bhagwan Mahavir, are universal in cal speculation, even by an ordinary man. These simple rules can be practised without the least philosophi
INTEGRAL VIEW OF LIFE:
Jainism takes an integral view of life. Either faith or knowledge by itself cannot take us to the path of salvation. We should have a combination of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct to tread the path of salvation. These constitute the three jewels of Jainism. Without right faith, there is no right knowledge and without right knowledge there is no virtuous conduct. Bhagwan Mahavir says, "By knowledge one understands the nature of substances, by faith one believes in them, by conduct one puts an end to the flow of karmas and by austerity one attains purity". (Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 28.35)