Jain Journal 1991 01

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

Page 34

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JAIN JOURNAL
the eminent philosopher, suggests us “I appeal as a human being to human beings remember your humanity and forget the rest. If you can do so the way lies open to a new paradise. If you can not, nothing lies before you, but universal death." We must be aware of the fact that this growth of science, technology and commerce would loose its meaning if man is to eternally doubt the others and ignore the claims of humanity. Iqbal has also rightly said --
tumhāri tahajiba apane hāthon se khudakusi karegi jo śākhe nājuk pe aśiyānā banega na pāye dara hogā
O men ! your civilization will commit suicide by your own hands, the nest built on a very weak twig will be without foundation.
To-day the only way for the survival of mankind is to develop a firm belief in the principles of non-violence and mutual co-operation. It is the misfortune of the mankind that on the one hand it wants peace and prosperity but on the other hand it still has a belief in the dictum "might is right”, i.e., violence. The peace and the violence are contradictory, since through violence we cannot achieve peace. Peace achieved through violence and war is the peace of a cremation ground, and not a living peace. In Ācārānga, Mabāvira said-atthi sattham pareņa param, natthiasattham parena param.”3 There are weapons superior to each other, but nothing is superior than aśastra, i.e., non-violence. Peace can be established and prosperity can be secured on the earth through non-violence, mutual faith, co-operation and sacrifice of one's own interest for the sake of others.
The Meaning of Peace
The term peace has various connotations. It means freedom from, or cessation of mental or spiritual disturbances or conflicts arising from passion and sense of guilt, as well as it also means freedom from, or cessation of war or hostilities. Intrinsically peace means a state of tranquility of mind. It is inner peace or peace of mind. But extrinsically peace means cessation of war and hostilities. It is external peace or peace in the society. Peace means a soul emptied of passions and desires. In the words of Saint Aquinas peace implies two things :
2 3
Ibid., p. 53 Acaranga, 1/3/4