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JAIN JOURNAL
Vol. XXXIV
No. 4 April
2000
“GIVE AWAY VIOLENCE, PRESERVE LIFE" :
CONTEMPORARY CALL OF THE
ŚRAMANA RELIGIONS
VINCENT SEKHAR, S.J. 1. Introduction
Religion gives meaning to society. It operates from ultimate perspectives, in terms of end or goal of life. It does not provide merely an abstract creed as a set of beliefs, but offers at the level of behaviour certain ethical principles through which the believing community seeks to reach the proposed goals. It is the task of religion to orient the whole of life, the common good of humanity, etc.
Religion and society shape each other in history. Society, its cultural and other changes might affect the external structure of any Religion. There might be adaptations, even renewals. For instance, religions like Buddhism and Christianity had adapted local cultural and traditional elements. But this does not mean that the basic outlook of Buddhism or Christianity has changed due to changes in cultures and traditions. The central figures of these religions, their worship, adherence to their precepts, etc. have by and large remained the same in history. It is such ‘changeless' elements that offer 'newness' to life everywhere.
There is a basic ethos in Śramana culture and thought. Buddhism may not believe in a permanent substance called Atman, but it believes in karma and rebirth, the ills of the world and of the human beings, their remedy, etc. In the same way, Jaina Dharma upholds the sanctity of life and urges its promotion and protection. These Šramana traditions are realistic about the existence of misery and its root cause, propound a path of purification and deliverance from all that is evil and all that is limiting.
These Śramana religions have recourse to conduct as the major means of liberation. Of all moral principles, Ahimsā or non-injury to
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