Jain Journal 1991 10

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

Page 52

134
JAIN JOURNAL
Therefore to rejuvenate the śramaņa SanskȚti, we must foster for unity and amity among the sects.
The existing stock piles of nuclear weapons that can extirpate the world is not unknown to us. The increasing acts of violence and vandalism is leading man towards the brink of destruction. In such an atmosphere, it is indispensable for Jainism to unleash its gospel of peace, ahimsa and harmony and unfold its precious preachings and dessiminate them among the peoples of the world. It has to serve as panacea to the bickerings and dissensions confronting the world today and create an atmosphere for the continued peaceful existence of human race.
Man has mastered the tallest of mountains, conquered the deepest and largest of oceans, pierced the unfathomable skies, blasted the smallest of atoms, walked on the moon and soon may be colonising the celestial bodies--the planets and other galaxies. Inspite of the blessings of mammon worship and technological advancement, the ever increasing crimes of rape and murder in the civilised developed societies is indicative of the degradation in social values and ethics. Although man has reached the pinnacle of material development in this cosmic whirl, he is still obsessed with the ills prevalent in this materialistic society and is longing for mental solace and peace. Amid such a raging conflagration, Jaina thinkers have to relinquish their attachment towards their sectoral norrowness and shoulder the onerous responsibility of eliminating human ills, social crimes and foster peace, harmony, psychological unity and spiritual coherence.
Inspite of being the oldest religion with its inherent practical merits, it is very sad to find that Jainism is not wide-spread and widely known. Now, appropriate time has come to delve deep into the causes of its present dormant state. Is it the reluctance of the people to the severity of its practices and to its more emphasis on spiritualisation ? Is it because we are lagging behind in preaching the Science of Living and introduce things in social and developing context ? Or is it lack of rigorous attempts to project it effectively ? These are only a few questions that struck me at this moment. This is, undoubtedly, a proper occassion to ponder over the matter seriously and come to a consensus and evolve ways and means to rejuvenate and propogate the sacrosanct principles of Jainism throughout the world, as immense volume of knowledge was bestowed upon us by the Lord.
Extract from inagural speech delivered at Sramana Sanskrti Sammelan held at Moodbhidri on March 30. 1991.