Jain Journal 1984 07

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

Page 10

Significance of Non-Violence In
Modern Age
-A Jaina Point of View
PREM SUMAN JAIN
The development of sciences has contributed a great deal to the welfare and material prosperity of mankind. It has enhanced the economic prosperity of man, but reduced its mental and spiritual peace. Moral values and spiritual qualities have deteriorated day by day. In the race of materialism man has become selfish, greedy and despondent. This grooming of human personality has created unrest in society, nation and the world. Therefore, now the materially prosperous man has naturally, been drawn towards religion, ethics and those values of spiritualism which could yield him peace and happiness. The principle of non-violence is the core of all religions. It contains the maxims of human welfare and world peace.
The significance and utility of non-violence is obvious not only in the moral scheme but in all spheres of mundane life. This principle of ahimsā finds important place in all ethics of Indian religion. But credit must be given to Jaina philosophy and its propounders who have presented it systematically and minutely. Jaina ethics is mainly based on three jewels-right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. These three are deeply related with the non-violence. As soon as a man attains right faith he gets the end of serving his self-interest and hatred, jealousy and violent attitude towards others. As soon as he gets the right knowledge of things he starts thinking of larger interest and self realisation. The potential of raising the qualities of self and generosity and friendship for the living beings of the world develop in him. By getting in tune with liberal attitude of non-absolutism, the man starts living a non-assertive life. His steps take the ground of right conduct. Here the aspirant tries to practise perfectly non-violence. However, all the rules and vows of
Paper presented at the Seminar on "Ahimsa and World Peace" at the A. N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna, on Oct. 22-23, 1983.
Tattvarthasutra (ed.), Samghavi, Sukhalal, J.S.S. Mandal, Benaras, 1952, Ch. 1. Sutra 1.