Jain Journal 2007 04

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

Page 17

186
JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XLI, NO.4 APRIL. 2007
Though outwardly we are pleading for peace and non-violence, by heart we still have strong faith in the law of the jungle, i.e. the dictum-'might is right'. We are living for the satisfaction of our animal nature only, though we talk of higher social and religio-spirtual values. The duality or the gulf of difference between our thought and action is the sole factor disturbing our inner as well as outer peace. Once the faith in higher values or even in our fellow beings is shaken and we start seeing each and every person or a community or a nation with the eyes of doubt, definitely, it is the sign of disturbed mentality.
Because of materialistic and mechanical outlook our faith in social and religious values has been distroyed and when the mutual faith and faith in higher values of co-operation and co-existence is destroyed, doubts take pace. The doubt causes fear, fear gives birth to violence and violence triggers violence. The present situation is the result of our materialistic attitude and doubting nature. The most valuable thing, human race has lost in the present age, is none other than peace and harmony.
Science and technology have given us all the amenities of life. Though due to the speedy advancement in science and technology, nowadays, life on earth is so luxurious and pleasant as it was never before, yet because of the selfish and materialistic outlook and doubting nature of man, which we have developed today, no body is happy and cheerful. We are living in tension all the time and deprived of, even a pleasant sound sleep. The people, materially more affluent having all the amenities of life, are more in the grip of tensions. Medical as well as psychological survey reports of advance nations confirm this fact. Tendency to consume alcoholic and sedative drugs is increasing day by day. It also supports the fact that we have lost our mental peace at the cost of this material advancement. Not only this, we have also been deprived of our natural way of living. S. Bothara maintains, “What unfortunately has happened, is that the intoxication of ambition and success has made us forget even the natural discipline, which we inherited from the animal kingdom.'