Jain Journal 2007 04

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

Page 23

192
JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XLI, NO.4 APRIL. 2007
on mutual co-operation, sacrifice of one's own interest in the interest of other fellow beings and regard for other's life, ideology, faith and necessities. If we think that other's services are essential for our existence and living, then we should also co-operate with others living.
If we consider taking the help of others in our living as our right, then on the same ground it is our honest duty to help others in their living. The principle of equality of all beings means that every one has a right to live just as myself and therefore one should not have any right to take other's life.
Thus for the Jainas the directive principle of living is not 'living on other's or 'living by killing', but 'living with other' or 'living for others. They proclaim that co-operation and co-existence are the essential nature of living beings. If it is so, then we must accept that religious tolerance and fellowship of faiths are such principle to be followed at the bottom of our hearts.
Meaning of Religion
So far as the leading causes responsible for fundamentalism and intolerant outlook are concerned, in my humble opinioun, the lack of the true understanding of the real nature and purpose of religion is prime. By religion generally we mean to have some uncritical beliefs in supernatural powers and performance of certain rituals as prescribed in our religious texts, but it is not the true and whole purpose of religion. The Acarangasutra (1/8/4) mentions worthy people preach that the religion is equanimity. Equanimity is considered as the core or essence of religion. Equanimity is the state in which consciousness is completely free from constant flickering, excitements and emotional disorders and mind becomes pacific. It is the core of religion. Haribhadra says whether a person is a Svetambara or a Digambara or a Bauddha or belongs to any other religion, whosoever attains equanimity of mind, will attain the liberation (Sambodha prakarana, 1/12)
Thus, the attainment as equanimity or relaxation from tension is the essence of religion. Secondly, when we talk of social or behavioural aspect of religion, it is nothing but the observance of nonviolence.