Jain Heritage and Beyond

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

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torture, heated exchanges at meetings, congregations, conferences and debates even in religious functions etc. We are aware that such type of behaviour normally culminates into High blood pressure, Heart attack and so many other prominent diseases of today. This ruins our social and family lives too. In other words nonviolence means Compassion. Compassion towards all the living beings through Mind, Speech and Body. Further Ahimsa is nothing but universal brotherhood i.e. friendliness, forgiveness and fearlessness. Another important lesson of Mahavir's life is Aparigraha (non-possessiveness to worldly pleasures, wealth etc.) He did never say that a layman or woman should not possess wealth, equipments for pleasures, etc; but restrict your requirements to the minimum. This will help us to avoid unnecessary labour to obtain them and thereby restraining ourselves from running here and there. This will save our precious time, which is passing at an unimaginable speed. Such time we can utilise to be with our family, our social activities and other constructive work to help needy people of the society. This will ease the tension of earning more and more, collecting wealth more and more, and enjoying pleasure more and more. However, today we find the car is moving in reverse gear. Isn't it? Everybody wants to become millionaire overnight, a nation wants to conquer another nation which has natural resources in abundance, those who possess power and wealth, connections at all levels wish to rule over others by using all the tricks and games available at their means. And this is the cause of conflicts, war, either cold or hot. This creates deceits towards someone's three "W"s.
There is a proverb in Gujarati "Jar, Jamin ane Joru trane kajia na chhoru." It means Jewellery and wealth, Land and Beautiful woman; these three are the real causes of quarrels. In today's scenario we notice that these are three principal reasons for the war, conflicts among nations, families, societies etc. Everybody tries to establish own supremacy. If any nation, family or society etc; behave properly with the values and principles formatted by Mahavir there cannot be any hue and cry, no war, no conflict, no unhappiness, no miseries etc. and what else needs to have. Therefore, the lesson is to avoid Greediness at all the costs and remain peaceful and enjoy bliss.
Jainism advocates minimum desire for accumulation of wealth, possessions of all kinds and enjoyment. It is an obligation of individual to donate generously either in cash or kind or time for community projects and welfare of societies, nations and the world. HOVE
Mahavir constructed one of the most powerful weapons in Anekantvad, i.e. non-absolutism or relativity or doctrine of multiplicity of viewpoints to annihilate vague debates, wars, conflicts, hatred ness, deceit, anger, pride and greed. It sends a message that try to understand others viewpoints on any matter. Do not look only from one angle any subject. All the matters or subjects have many truths. If we look from one angle it may be wrong, but if we look from all the facets it will seem to be right. Let us understand this from an example: A person who writes after his name all his degrees or awards he has received, one may think he may be proud but other person who sees it, thinks that the person has certified his knowledge to that level only. So both may be true. Very important and popular example is given in the scripture about an elephant and seven blind persons to explain Anekantvad. In differently languages "GRAPE" is expressed in different ways. But its meaning
remains the same.
Proper application of Anekantvad halts bad thoughts and speech for violence. It is an intelligent expression of Ahimsa. In the present ever-changing world, infinite numbers of viewpoints exist. They depend upon various factors such as, nature of individual, time, space and circumstances. Expression of truth is relative to several viewpoints.
Anekantvad solves many present day problems. In other words think positively about what others have to say and avoid negative thinking. As I mentioned earlier Mahavir never forced his views and principles upon anyone. Because this is nothing but the cause of quarrels, wars, conflicts. He tried to understand the language of the people. He conveyed his messages into simple and understandable language. While in our day in and day out activities, we mix up so many things and do not try to understand what other has to opine for. We just do not listen to others. We do not become good listeners but wish to force our thoughts of variable designs
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