Jain Heritage and Beyond

Author(s): Shailesh Shah
Publisher: Oshwal Associations of The UK

Page 97

The Relevance of Mahavir's
Values in Modern Times bh Chandraprakash Shah
Jainism is a magnificent treasure temple of Philosophy, Mathematics, Astronomy, Geography, History and Science itself. There cannot be a need to equate it with Science. Science is making steppingstone in the fields of several mysteries the world is keeping secret However Jainism have probably all the answers to them. The Jainism is eternal and put on the floor of this earth by Lord Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara of this Chauvishi. Following Tirthankaras propounded it and Mahavir expounded it to suit the need of that age and modern times. Mahavir's values of life can be summarised in only two words "KEEP SILENCE or KEEP MUM." This can be the only answer of the present scenario of struggle, hatredness, grief, sorrows, unhappiness, atrocities of all kinds and misunderstandings.
One may mistakenly conceive that power and wealth are the ultimate goals of the domain religion. The fact is that once power and wealth enter the domain of religion, they make it narrow and produce an aberration in our thinking. Once rituals become more important than equivalent conduct, religion recedes to background, although it does not exit. (Acharya Mahapragnya)
The values of the life of Lord Mahavir needs more attention to us i.e. we people, as we form the part of individuals, families, societies, the nations and the world.
Lord Mahavir was born to attain salvation in that 27th birth as Vardhman. However he relinquished his worldly wealth and pleasures and at the same time embraced renunciation of everything he possessed, even his body. He had a definite goal set in his mind. To achieve that goal he went for initiation and in wilderness and spent twelve valuable years in the search of SOUL. His life was venerable, estimable and worth imbibing in practice, but we remain imprisoned in the rites and rituals and worship of him. We have forgotten conveniently his teachings and his path of spiritualization. He actually performed in his own life, what he taught us.
At the outset, Mahavir realized that either mere words or sermons or rituals are not sufficient and efficacious to accomplish the desired ambition. Before uttering a single word the preacher must exhibit impeccable conduct. His mind should be pure and conduct must be exemplary.
We only enjoy celebrating Mahavir Jayanti by shouting slogans but we do not pay any attention to his teachings. They are most relevant in modern times. In nutshell he taught us to remain "MAN" as "MAN" and not as animals. His basic principles are:
1. Non-violence (Ahimsa)
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2. Aparigraha (non-attachment and non-possessiveness of worldly, wealth, matters and pleasures)
3. Anekant (pluralism-non-absolutism)
These principles are also taught by other Tirthankaras However they become more popular in the recent times. His principle of non-violence is not a matter related to temple or worship or chanting.
He said, "Everyone likes eternal peace, bliss and happiness. No one likes hue and cry, miseries, grief and unhappiness. All the species like to live and do not wish to surrender to death." His message to the world is "Live and help to live."
Neither he forced anyone to become monks nor nuns nor he forced his views on someone. And this created a respect and honour for him in the world over. But what we observe in the world, today, everyone tries to impose in any way either by hook or crook, their will and power on others. This situation generates all kinds of conflicts and converts them into quarrels, unhappiness, atrocities etc.
Non-violence overtakes all concepts, ideologies, traditional and modern, eastern and western, customs and practices, self centred or social, political and economical. It applies equally to every one, the world, nations, society, faiths and individual.
As a matter of fact non-violence does not mean only to kill living species. It has various facets; say mental
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