Jain Journal 2012 07

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

Page 50

Dulicand Jain: Jainism and its Relevance to the Modern
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over one's self (ātmā) is greater than conquering thousands and thousands of enemies in the battle-field".
He also emphasized the four values for householders which can lead them to success on the spiritual path, They are
1. Dana or Charity: A house holder should give at least 6% of his profits in charity.
Sheel a means right conduct; his conduct should be
2. exemplary.
3. Tapa means austerities. These are required for self-control
and
4.
Bhavana means reflections. The twelve fold thought process should be pure.
ANEKANTAVĀD OR MANY FOLDEDNESS OF TRUTH.
This is a very important theory of many angles of truth called Anekantavāda. This is a comprehensive Jaina doctrine postulating that truth is manifold and any particular thing can be viewed from manifold aspects. This strengthens the autonomy of thought of every individual. This doctrine tries to find out the unity out of the diverse points of view and admits that there is an element of truth in all thoughts which are but different approaches to the problems from different angles of view.
ECOLOGY:
Jainism had given utmost importance for protecting environment and ecology. Acārya Umāswāmi has given a beautiful Sūtra in "Tattvärtha Sutra" which postulates.
“परस्परोपग्रहो जीवानाम्”
i.e., all living creatures render help to each other. They cannot live independently of each other. They have to share their pleasures and pains together. Animals, plants, vegetables and environment are all helpful to human beings. All the agencies of nature like lakes, rivers, mountains etc. must be protected and preserved. Tree cuttings,