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A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PEACE
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NON-VIOLENCE AND THE ROLE OF WOMEN
History stands testimony to the fact that the 20th century has been an era of wars, unrest and wrath, with bloodshed, conflicts between nations and the terror of terrorism-that has doddered each heart living in apprehension in this dangerous and critical situation. The lure and pursuit of material pleasures has set the human race on the path of reckless exploitation. There is agony over the state of the world and the real tragedy is the plight of defenseless civilians, especially women and children, who fall a victim to the most ferocious and rampant onslaught, rape, torture, bull-dozing, mutilation of limbs, murder by firing squads and burgundy. The awe of weapons has been replaced by the horrendous chemical and bio-chemicals wars that has alarmed each soul and made life more dreadful than ever! What could be the reason behind
such vehement acts?
Truly enough, they are the outcome of the evil thought-process brought into innocent minds by selfish power-mongers - the few whose only aim is to amass wealth, be the masters of the inanimate world, little realizing, that this momentary happiness is temporary in nature and this avarice can ruin the lives of their kith
and kin, the state, the nation and take toll of the entire world.
The so called modern man in an era of science and technological progress appears to be deeply engrossed in a restless race that yearns him to pile up lifeless material possessions and life taking armaments, little knowing that the so called palace of pleasure is built on the summit of a silent looking volcano which will anni hilate all the priceless treasures that have been bestowed by the economic and pragmatic mind in the twinkling of an eye. The fire of animosity and atrocity is burning at the threshold of our homes and we have no other alternative but to combat it.
Mindless terrorism and wars in the name of religion should be eradicated. The human race has to be prevented from the scourge of war that brings untold misery destruction, devastation, and frustration. A holistic approach to peace is the immediate requirement to the dreadful situation. What then is peace? Peace, is a relative term that cannot be defined directly. According to my understanding, peace can be defined as:
1) Individual Peace and
2) Peace in Society
14/JAIN DIGEST⚫ Spring 20004
Jain Education International 2010_03
Raksha Shah, Mumbai B.Sc,M.A., LL.B.N.D,DIP.in Jaina Philosophy.
INDIVIDUAL PEACE: Individual Peace is a state of being in which one's mind is calm and serene. A state when one feels totally relaxed with the absence of causes of unrest like stress, excitement, desire, agony and tension.
PEACE IN SOCIETY: It is a state of co-operative, peaceful co-existence with the development of feeling of tolerance, mutual understanding where each one honors another's view-point, lives and wants others to live for the welfare of all living creatures of the universe in total harmony with a feeling of fraternity and friendliness. Such a situation cannot be brought about by lawmaking bodies, government decrees, force and coercion, but by arousing internal consciousness and inculcating feelings of love, compassion, friendliness and equanimity with the one and only
aim of service to mankind.
PURPOSE OF THE PAPER: As a solution to the problems
of peace I have tried to highlight as to how the age-old principle of Non-Violence laid down by Lord Mahavira, can help in establishing the long-lost peace in society and how -women can play a vital role in inculcating these values and bringing about awareness alertness and awakening, so that peace, progress and prosperity can be globally restored once again.
NON-VIOLENCE Never before in the history of the world has such a grave situation occurred where people in every nook and corner of the world have been in a disastrous situation, living in fear of death due to unpredictable bomb-blasts and other forms of violence. Life and non-violence are integrally related. Lord Mahavira has called it Universal and everlasting. As a matter of fact, no culture can survive in its absence. It forms the basis of all religions. Not a single religion in the world advocates violence. What then is Non-Violence or Ahimsa?
Acharya Amritchandra defines Ahimsa as,
"The non-appearance of attachments and passions and their appearance as Himsa or Violence."
The Sixth Chapter of Dasavaikalika Sutra describes Ahimsa as: A disciplined behavior towards every living being." The Yogasutra of Patanjali pronounces Ahimsa as: "The absence of violence of all sorts towards all beings at all times." The Chhandogyopanishad, Bhagvad Gita, Sankhya, Buddhists
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