Jain Journal 2007 04

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

Page 29

198
JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XLI, NO.4 APRIL. 2007
others say is false, while a relativist is of the view that he and his opponent both may be correct, if viewed from two different angles and thus a relativist adopts a tolerant outlook towards other faiths and ideologies. Only a relativist or non-violent search for truth finds nonextremism.
Non-extremism forbids to allow the individual to be dogmatic and one-sided in approach. It pleads for a broader outlook and openmindedness, which alone can resolve the conflicts that emerge from differences in ideologies and faiths. Satkari Mookerjee rightly observes that the extremist engenders fanaticism, the worst and the vilest passion of human heart. Siddhasena Divakara (5th cent. A.D.) remarks, "All schools of thought are valid when they are understood from their own standpoint and so far as they do not discard the truth-value of others. Hemacandra, who was a Jaina saint, composed his work in the praise of Siva. This liberalism should be maintained if we want to establish peace on earth and to maintain human unity by the religions.
What is Peace?
The term 'Peace' has various connotations. Intrinsically peace means a state of tranquility of mind. It is the state in which self rests in its own nature, undisturbed by external factors. Peace means soul devoid of passions and desires. The Acaranga mentions that an aspirant who has attained peace has no desire. Peace means cessation of all desires. The Sutrakṛtānga equates it with the emancipation from all desires, in other word, it is the state of self-contentment or total subjectivity i.e. the state of pure Seer. The Acārānga maintains that one who is aware of peace will not fall in the grip of passions. While defining peace, Saint Thomas Aquinas has also rightly maintained the same view. He says, "Peace implies two things: first, our self should not be disturbed by external factor and secondly, our desires should find rest in one i.e. the self. This inner peace can also be explained from negative and positive view-points. Negatively, it is the state of the cessation of all the passions and desires. It is the freedom from the vectors of attachment and aversion. Positively, it is the state of bliss and self-contentment.