Jain Journal 1973 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 29

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JAIN JOURNAL
state of non-attachment helps the man always remain free, open minded and amiable to the logic of life. Mahavira was logical and dynamic and never dogmatic in his thinking and approach.
Mahavira was a free thinker and, therefore, a revolutionary all his life. His protestations and opposition to the Brahmanical hierarchy for things and thoughts which he considered wrong and harmful to the interests of the individual and society are well-known. He was a fearless critic of precepts and practices which he considered harmful. No flattery or frowning from any quarters would deter him in any way. He was a dauntless fighter for the cause of truth. He boldly stood the tortures he was given, but never deviated from the path of truth. This was the struggle, the tapasyā, which made him Mahavira. He had unflinching convictions, but would not hesitate to change his views if and when he was convinced that the truth lay the other way. Truth and truth alone was his gospel and the life's journey for him was to achieve this gospel.
Though quite strong and unflinching in adherence to his own convinctions, he had respect for the convictions of others also. He believed in the co-existence of different systems of thought and in keeping continuous dialogue among the different schools of thought., There is no monopoly in the sphere of thought and ideas. Mahavira did not allow conflicts and contradictions in thought to become personal conflicts between followers of one school of thought and the other. He had respect for all faiths, because all had the same goal—the search for truth.
In the power-tormented world of today, where in the name of democracy, liberty and fraternity, nations are annihilating nations, mutual killings are taking place among aspirants to power, Mahavira's teachings have great relevance. The way to peace and tranquility among individuals, among communities and among nations lies in the direction Mahavira showed to us—the direction, which stresses the sacrifice of the self for the universal. This is the only sure way to peace and happiness of mankind, but it requires courage of conviction and determined dynamism to take the strides in that direction, whatever the obstacles and opposition. Mahavira's philosophy of life has every relevance, if we have the required determination and ability to perceive ‘rightly', know and understand ‘rightly' and act 'rightly; but if our aim is only to eulogise Mahavira and his teachings, and leave it at that, it will be only another addition to the plethora of hymns in his honour, without any meaning and purpose, rather all vague, hollow and even deceptive.