Jain Journal 2007 04

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

Page 22

Sagarmal Jain The Role of Religion In Human Unity And World Peach
if viewed from changing conditions of mind and body I am different each moment and thus many. This view is further elaborated by Acārya Mallisena. He says, "Whatsoever is one, is also many." Really, unity in diversity is the law of nature. Nature everywhere is one, but there is diversity in it, as the natural phenomena differ from each other, so is the case with human beings also. Though all the human beings have some common characteristics and features, every individual being differ from others and has some specific qualities. It is also true about religions. All the religions have some common characteristics sharing with others as well as specific qualities of their own. Universal virtues, such as, non-violence, friendliness, service to the needy, truthfulness, honesty, control over senses, etc. are commonly shared by all the religions of the world. Unfortunately, at present, these common universal virtues, which are the essence of religious practices have been shoved into the background and external rituals, which are divergent in their nature, have become more important. Thus we have forgotten the essential unity of all the religions and are stressing their diversities.
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Though I am emphasizing the essential unity of all the religions, this does not mean that I am the supporter of one world religion or undermining the specialities and diversities of them. What I intend to say is that the absolute unity and absolute diversity, both are illusory concepts and fellowship of faith means unity in diversity.
Co-operation as Essential Nature of Living Beings
For the Jainas co-operation and co-existence are the essential nature of living beings. Darwin's dictum-'struggle for existence' and the Indian saying-jivo jivasya bhojanam, that is 'life thrives on life' are not acceptable to them.
They maintain that it is not the struggle but the mutual cooperation is the law of life. Umāsvāti (3rd /5th century A.D.) in his work Tattvarthasutra clearly maintains that mutual co-operation is the nature of living beings (parasparopagraho jīvānām). Living beings originate, develop and exist with the co-operation of other living beings. So is the case with the human society also, its existence also depends