Jain Journal 2007 04

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

Page 20

Sagarmal Jain : The Role of Religion In Human Unity And World Peach
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fanatical outlook and cannot be made responsible for the ignominious acts committed in the name of religion by such religious leaders who want to serve their vested interest. The barbarity committed in the past and perpetrated in the present in the name of religion is due very largely to the intolerance and fanaticism of the so-called religious leaders and their ignorant followers.
The only way of freeing oneself from this sordid situation is to comprehend to the true nature, indeed, to grasp the "essence of religion and to develop tolerance toward and respect for other's ideologies and faiths.
A true religion consists in the practice of equanimity and nonviolence. In the Ācārangasūtra the earlier Jaina text (c. late 4th cent. B.C.) we come across two definitions of religion: Equanimity is the essence of religion, while the observance of non-violence is its external exposition or a social aspect of religion. The Ācārārga mentions that practicing of non-violence is the true and eternal religion.
Jainism, since its inception, believes in and preaches for peace, harmony and tolerance. It has been tolerant and respectful toward other faiths and religious ideologies throughout its history of existence. In Jainism one hardly comes across instance of religious conflicts involving violence and bloodshed. The Jaina men of learning while opposing the different ideologies and religious standpoints, fully paid regard to them and accepted that the opponents' convictions may be valid from a certain standpoint.
Humanity as a true form of religion
First of all, we are human beings and then any thing else i.e. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Sikkhas, Jainas and the like. To be a real human being, is a pre-condition for being a real man of religion. Our prime duty is to be a human in its real sence. This spirit is echoed in one of the earlier Jaina text Uttarādhyayana wherein Lord Mahāvīra has laid down four conditions for a true religious being viz-1. Humanity 2. True faith 3. Control over senses and 4. Efforts