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THE JAIN RELIGIOUS
TRADITION
S.L. Gandhi
The Jain Religious Tradition to which I belong is firmly rooted in ahimsa (nonviolence). It enjoins its followers to abjure violence in word, thought and deed and refrain from resorting to coercion, intolerance, possessiveness, untruth and lustful desires. It is a path of peace and purity and forbids the use of violence even in self-defence. Revenge or hatred has no place in it. It exhorts all human beings to show tolerance towards those who hold different views or believe in different modes of worship. Diversity is a natural phenomenon and Jainism teaches us to live and let live'. It naturally looks on other traditions with respect and considers the act of disparaging or ridiculing other religious traditions an act of great sin. The principle of ahimsa in its totality which the Jains adore and abide by scrupulously, admits of no contradictions, disputation, censure or illspeaking. It is the most ancient tradition that dates back to the period of the beginning of human civilization and follows the teachings of 24 Tirthankaras-literally "ford builders' or 'most perfect sanctified souls' or 'spiritual leaders’-the last and most significant of whom was Lord Mahavira, a contemporary of Lord Buddha.
Unlike other religious traditions, it has had a history of peaceful existence since time immemorial. It is perhaps the only living tradition in
The Jain Religious Tradition
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