Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 22

JULY, 1988
between one people and another. War is a great evil. The ever grim tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the atom bombs were dropped on these islands, may be repeated after a few decades, when the interest of two super powers will clash. We all are acquainted with the past and present instances in this regard. Now the star-wars, the new missile defence system has been started. It is obviously a highly dangerous step for world peace. The entire global atmosphere is surcharged with tremendous tension and a perpetual threat of a nuclear holocaust.
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It is the doctrine of ahimsā, aparigraha, anekāntavāda and syādvāda that alone can bring about an end of this ideological conflict. Syādvāda is a strange non-violent weapon in the armoury of Jainism. It can uproot our differences no matter how deep-set they are. Syādvāda believes in bridging the gulf between the conflicting ideologies. It strives to establish a liberal attitude in our feelings and dealings. Difference of opinion is bound to exist between one person and another. But one must not be obdurate in his opinions. He must make room for admitting opinions other than his own. Others opinion should be studied logically and impartially from a humanitarian outlook.
The traditional values are being questioned in all the nations of the globe in this age of science, technology and nuclear development. But today spiritual disciplines and practices are badly needed when everyone is sceptical about his own existence. There is unrest and suffering everywhere. To overcome this unusual situation, the spiritual disciplines can play a pivotal part in having human approach to all the national and inter-national problems. Spirit of co-existence and brother-hood based on non-violence is badly needed. I do hope, Jaina spiritual disciplines, if correctly followed, may purify the political, social, national and international atmosphere. The problem of economic inequality can be solved by following the ideal of non-possession and non-hoarding and peaceful co-existence among different warring nations can be established by the notion of non-violence.
Gigantic task of building up a democratic and egalitarian society can be achieved by Jaina dogmas. It guarantees freedom of thought, speech and action to all alike and asks us to shun violence in the name of religion. All human beings have a right to equal respect and consideration. Not only human beings but also animals and other small creatures should get proper protection. Even at the deepest level the interest of animals and other smaller creatures should be taken into account. Rationality, autonomy and freedom may vary for one