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"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind" Gandhi
greed. He cannot control his or her desires and this loss of control becomes a barrier to liberation. Like the person, the state fails when it becomes dominated by acquisitive desire. Collective human greed is destroying the planet. Jain ethics emphasise respect for biodiversity as well as human diversity and point towards a less materialistic way of conducting human affairs. The history of international diplomacy is littered with horse-trading, double and back stabbings by states and their leaders. If we are to move beyond violence, there needs to be a shift towards integrity in international relations. Good will is also required; lack of good will explains why the Indo-Pakistani conflict has gone on for so long.
Jain Education International 2010_03
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Illustration by Daniel Stewart +44 (0) 1206 396116
The world needs a genuinely ethical form of international relations. Jain values can provide an ethical framework for this new approach to policymaking. Jainism is internationalist in outlook, its philosophy accessible to people of all races, faith traditions and cultures, without prejudice. Since Jains eschew violence and prejudice, they can play a vital role in reducing tension and protecting the natural world. Above all, Jainism is based on tolerance and respect, the two essential ingredients required for peaceful coexistence between human beings.
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Paras Shah has recently graduated in Politics from the University of Sheffield.
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