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A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PEACE......
3) Says Victor Hugo, 'War begins in the minds of men'. The mind is both the master and the slave of the body it lives in, and
Thus, Ahimsa is neither a rule nor ritual, but a disciplinary the mind and body are so intimately interconnected through the act for all people at all times.
nervous system that all the voluntary and involuntary functions of the entire system are affected by it. In other words, the thoughts that occur lead to actions. Hence it is absolutely essential to divert the impure, destructive thoughts to pure, constructive thoughts before it is too late. The outlook of education therefore needs orientation. From the very beginning a strong dislike and hatred for violence should be aroused .The children need to be taught moral lessons of peace, ahimsa, love, empathy, friendliness, compassion and equanimity and made to realize that passions like anger, pride, deceit and discontent are the root causes of unrest
3) The immense avarice to acquire more and more by fair or hence need to be lessened. Psychologist Mona Nanavati strongly foul means.
feels that a well-trained mind will go a long way to understand the feelings of others and will help one to be more compassionate.
have all criticised violence. Also, the Jewish religions, Taoists, Confucianism have all condemned violence of all kinds.
THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE:
1) The most significant cause of violence is 'Parigraha', meaning possession. The economic systems today, are based on promoting wants rather than curbing them.
2) The ever-increasing attachment towards materialistic
objects.
4) Intolerance towards other religions is also a grave cause. 5) At the social level, pride and craving for power, racial discrimination, communalism, provincial and national prejudice
between nations
6) Agitation and turbulence of thoughts derived from be encouraged. The power mongers need to understand that the conflicting ideas. strength and power of non-violence is tremendous and more stable
7) At the international level, it is the greed for power and and healthy as compared to the ephemeral power derived from territorial expansion, cold wars, arms race. terror and violence.
THE EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE: Violence, in all its forms, induces fear, depression and uncertainty in the minds of people. It weakens one's mental balance, concentration and work efficiency. How can one think of helping the society or the nation when he himself and his family are insecure? This insecurity creates strong dislike, hatred, jealousy and mutual rivalry among individuals. The lure of possessiveness causes disparity, inequality and unrest, which ultimately hinders social, economic, political and religious harmony.
SOLUTIONS TO WORLD PROBLEMS BY MEANS OF
NON-VIOLENCE: 1) As mentioned in the Acaraanga Sutra: 'All beings love to live, no one likes pain and misery, therefore we must have reverence for life. According to Mahatma Gandhi, if the world adopts Ahimsa of Bhagwan Mahavira, Peace will bless the universe. Nevertheless, he emphasizes that, “Non-violence is not a resignation from all real fighting against wickedness", hence crimes and terrorist acts should not be pardoned.
4) At the political level, mutual rivalry, jealousy, the deep incentive to usurp power should be considerably reduced and no unlawful intention to encroach on others land and property should
2) Says Dr.K.C.Sogani, that: The virtues of non-violence and aparigraha are capable of establishing universal peace.
Therefore if these virtues are understood at the International level, the attitude of non-violence will synchronise'. Hence we need to build up a strong and cohesive social structure and put in selfless, on-going effort to work for just and fair international relations and spread the message of peace to remove hatred and malice and thereby totally eradicate the negative thought-process and transform it to positivity.
Jain Education International 2010_03
5) At the social level, malpractices in business, trade and profession for amassing wealth should be blown out. Hoarding should be greatly curtailed. Principles of justice, impartiality should be developed.
6) Strong measures must be taken to curtail the growth of violence on grounds of race, caste, creed etc. All should be treated equally. There should be no injustice towards the weak and suppressed.
7) The subtle aspect of non-violence lies in the change in the inner self of the individual, to strengthen the feelings of peace, fraternity, tolerance, fellow-feeling and equality giving prime importance to reverence for life, vegetarianism, prevention of cruelty to animals and protecting the environment.
8) Intentional injury should be totally avoided, while a tyrant, oppressor or a terrorist should be taken to task. The mischief monger must not be spared, and the laity may use his arms to punish the culprit and scoundrel or such a person who tries to disturb the peace in society.
9) Moral laws should govern the world order. The rights of individuals, the oppressed, weak and minorities should be protected. International economic co-operation must be developed. Duties must be followed religiously.
10) Mere talks at Seminars and Conferences cannot serve any purpose. To overcome the present situation scholars, saints
JAIN DIGEST⚫ Spring 2004/15
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