Jain Journal 2006 10 No 04

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

Page 9

Sagarmal Jain: Human Solidarity And Jainism
they seem opposite but they are one and the same, like the two facets of a cion. Attachment emanates aversion and they, due to their disosition, cannot be separated from each other. Attachment unites us with some one, but simultaneously separates us from others. It is the attachment, which results from the concept of mineness and we cling to the notions such as my nation, my province, my region, my caste, my race, my religion etc. Nationalism, regionalism, castism, recialism and the sectarianism are the born-childs of the joint-principle of atachment and aversion. From attachment follows “mine” and from aversion follows “alien” and this single concept of “mine and alien" is solely responsible for national communal, racial and religious rivalries and these consequently, hurt our the cult of violence ?
Jainism denies this established notion that the integration and harmony can be achieved on the emotional basis i.e. on the basis of attachment, love and affection (here the term love is used as a passionate love, which is an other expression of attachment).
Jainism holds that the slightest, even pious, attachment towards the prophet, the path and the scripture is also a hindrance to a seeker of truth and aspirant of perfection. It generates uncritical and biased outlook. Thus attachment and aversion (hatred) are the two great enemies of impartial thinking and behaviour.“ Intense attachment unfailingly generates being faith in religious leaders, dogmas, doctrines and rituals and consequently religious intolerence and fanaticism come into existence. Attachinent is also responsible for our narrow and selfish outlook. It results in nationalism, castism, racialism and sectarianism and divides human race into the smaller groups, while aversion turns itself into the hatred and rivalries among these smaller groups and thus
Uttarādhyayana sūtra 32/38
Ibid - 32/89
Ibid - 32/92-92
Kalpasūtra Tīkā by Vinaya-Vijaya, p. 120
Studies in Jain Philosophy - Tantia p. 22