Jain Spirit 2004 10 No 20

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 37

non-interference in other people's way of life.
When a loofah bird saw from the inside of her cosy nest a monkey sitting on the branch of a tree getting cold and wet in a downpour, she spoke to the monkey thus: "You have good hands, good brain and a lot of energy. You look like a human being, why don't you build a hut for yourself, you silly monkey, getting wet and cold?" The monkey found these words coming from an insignificant bird, interfering, insulting and disrespectful, so he replied, "How dare you speak to me like this, from your mealy mouth? Why don't you mind your own business, you stupid bird? Whether I should build a hut for myself or not, I can certainly destroy your hut and punish you for your rudeness." The loofah bird lost her nest as a result of speaking inappropriately and for interfering. We should neither act like the loofah nor like the monkey.
In modern times, the world is filled with conflicts and these conflicts are encouraged daily by the harmful, injurious and negative language of politicians. In the Houses of Parliament, in the newspapers, on radio and television, rivers of negative language flow every day to no good effect. The leaders of our nations set an example which permeates through society where scoring points becomes the occupation of the day. The practice of forgiveness becomes impossible in such a situation. When we look around the world we find that disputes linger for decades. From Northern Ireland to Iraq and from Israel to Kashmir, there are dozens of countries engulfed in racial, religious or national wars. These wars and conflicts seem to have no end. If we were able to bring the principle of Paryushan into the political sphere then we would be obliged to set a deadline for peace. Compromise, reconciliation, accommodation to divergent interests and above all forgiveness will become the imperative for a peaceful coexistence of all peoples. Now let us make it a universal week of peace and reconciliation.
In the wake of the internet and air travel the world has shrunk and all nations have become each other's neighbours. Yet the world spends an incredible amount of research, resources and money on the military and weapons. Similar efforts need to be dedicated to establish peace and friendship among nations. Celebration of Paryushan would be a good way to start that process, because we are starting with ourselves. We Jains should not think that Paryushan is only for the Jain
ME
community. For far too long the Jains have been keeping Jainism to themselves. Now it is time to reach out. Making Paryushan available to the world as a week of peace and purification will be a very good start. We need to make peace with ourselves, peace with our fellow human beings and peace with nature.
Satish Kumar is Editor of Resurgence Magazine. The above article was first published in Jain Spirit, Issue 5 September 2000.
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