Jain Heritage and Beyond

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

Page 99

upon others to fulfil our motives. This creates nothing but a conflict. This ultimately results into creation of unhealthy relationships which is neither good for individual nor for families, nor for societies and nor for any
nation.
Anekantvad teaches us to become patience and polite in nature. Never run over anything without thinking. It has many characteristics mentioned as under:
- Never insist for your own ideas
- Always accept truth to avoid conflicts
- No interfering, absolutely no use of phrase" in my days." "If I were in your place."
- Remember if you insist on everything to be done your way, this will boomerang.
- Choose your words very wisely. You have the power...use it well
- Don't be proud.
-Do not allow the protector and the mere threat, to your abundance of joy, turns you into the terminator.
- Precious time, with your family, society, nation and individuals, flies away so enjoy every moment with all. - Create strong necessity to search for truth.
- Be a trustworthy person and accept all the truths even from enemies too.
- Create universal brotherhood, friendship and equanimity towards everyone.
- Others will pick up your errand behaviour, manners and habits very quickly and ultimately results in chaos. An English proverb teaches us "think twice before you speak" and "an arrow released from bow never returns." They always hurt and kill.
All these virtues with which Mahavir lived are inter-related. They transpire important guidelines to solve present day problems either at individual level, family level, and society level or at national and international level. These are the core values of avoiding all kinds of vices and promotion towards harmony, peace, universal brotherhood, and faith based communities in the world. Further, these qualities teach us forgiveness. Hence they have to be cultivated and preserved.
To conclude and summarise these three precious core values of the life of Lord Mahavir signify great relevance in modern times. They generate and establish universal friendship, fearlessness, harmony, peace, joy, through non-violence and non-possessiveness. They strengthen the bond of autonomy of life everywhere. They promote ecological conservation through self-restraints and austere life style as well as kindness towards all. Anekantvad promotes and strengthens autonomy of thoughts and speech. They reconcile differences between various Dharmas, Communal and racial frictions, and political vendetta and avoid racial discriminations. These three precious principles if properly placed in action can bring inner happiness, bliss and joy to all. They upgrade everyone to spiritual level of development. Four Bhavnas such as, Maitri, Pramod, Karunya and Madhyastha (Friendship, Joy, Compassion and Neutral respectively) are accommodated in these core values.
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