Jain Journal 2003 10

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

Page 35

SMT. LATA BOTHRA: ETHICAL UTILITARIANISM IN THE LIGHT
culture itself. True religion also forms the language of social liasion. The different traits and types of liasion is based on their respective cultures. Logical and shining ever after, these cultures have given an open space regarding testing social liasion. The cleaning up of this whole work began from the dawn of civilisation. It was Rşabhadeva, the first Tīrthankara, who maintained and propagated the paths of social harmony and ethical rules. He taught seventy two ways of enrichment of arts to men and sixty two to women. Truth, non-violence and likewise other qualities were being spread by this saint. The Tīrthankaras, who came after him in succession, helped to develop the same theory. All the traits and paths which are described as the divine way are built for the betterment of the human society.
In this pollution-ridden modern society where everyone is being engrossed by troubles, we expect some air of relief from our fellow people. As the social relations degrade so, as a result, people do not reciprocate, hence, it is absolutely depressing. Alfred Adler, the famous psychologist, has emphasised on the rewarding aspect which can thwart away the very existence of depression. According to him, if anyone can be responsible for causing happiness in another's mind then his depression will gradually but surely be evaded. Mahāvīra had given the immortal behavioural ethics for all times to come, when he said --- “ Do and behave with people in such a way as you would yourself expect from any person." One cannot ignore the environment and live happily for long. It is the sheer humane feeling which makes a difference between a creator and a destructor. Every bit of the creation should not be put into tension by any living being. If the very sense of compassion is absent from human mind, then violence will automatically break loose. The global feeling of oneness and humanity will surely be at stake. From today's terrorisin-ridden earth, where bullet and blood is the only language, Mahāvīra's benevolent path of non-violence is the only pathway.
Even in the field of industry and business one has to always pay heed and ample attention to the choice and taste of the customers. One who cares and acts accordingly receives full profit. It can happen that by sheer immoral ways, one has obtained quite a bit of profit, but it won't last much long. The path of truth is obviously tough but the facade it constructs remains immortal. From politics to industrialisation wherever falsehood has been the go of the day, its fall down to the earth, has become an inevitable truth.