Jaina Literature and Philosophy a Critical Approach

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 89

The Solution of World Problems: A Jaina Perspective
36. He khamdaya! sagayam, Khamdaya! Susagayam - Bhagavati, 2/1.
37. Kesikumāra samane goyamam dissama gayam/ Padiruvam padivattim sammam sampadivajjai // -- Uttaradhyayana sutra, Sanmati Jñanpitha, Agra, 1st ed. 23/16.
38. Sāstravārtāsamuccya, L.D. Instt. Ahmedabad, 1969. 6/464, 65, 67.
39. Ibid. 3/207 and 3/237.
40. Jaina Šilalekha Sangraha, vol. III, Introduction by G.C. Chaudhari. See also epigraphs of above mentioned book vol. I, II and III, No. 181, 249, 315, 332, 333, 356, 507, 649, 710.
41. Jaina Šilalekha Sangraha, vol. III, Introduction by G.C. Chaudhari. See also epigraphs of above mentioned book,
We all are human beings first hence the problems, humanity is facing today, are our own. In fact, we, ourselves are solely responsible for their creation and naturaly have to bear their consequences also. Become our earnest duty to ponder over their roots and causes, to suggest their solutions and to make honest efforts for their eradication.
Problem of Mental Tension and its Solution
The growth of scientific knowledge and outlook has reverly jolted our superstitions and false dogmas. But unfortunately, it has shaken our faith in sprtitual and human values also. Today, we have more knowledge of and faith in the atom and atomic power than the values needed for meaningful and peaceful life. We rely more on atomic. weapons as our true rescuer than on our fellow-beings. The advancement in science and technology has provided us amenities for a pleasant living. Today the life on earth has become pleasant and luxurious as it was never before. Yet because of the selfish and materialistic outlook, nobody is happy and satisfied. This advancement, in all walks of life and knowledge, could not sublimate our animal and selfish nature. The animal instinct lying within us is still dominating
vol. I, II and III, No. 181, 249, 315, 332, 333, 356, 507, 649, 710.
83
42. Sanmatitarka Prakaraṇa, 3/69, Jñānodaya Trust, Ahmedābād, 1963.
The Solution of World Problems: A Jaina Perspective
43. Namijinastavan--Anandaghana Granthavali, Śrī Jaina Śreyaskara Manal, Mahesana (1957).
44. Yasastilaka-compu Somadevaśūri, p. 373, Nirnaya sagar, Press, Bombay.
45. Niyamasara, Kundakunda, 155, The Central Jaina Publishing House, Lucknow, 1931.
46. Yogadṛṣṭisamuccaya (Haribhadra), L.D. Instt., Ahmedābād,
1970.
47. Sāmāyika Patha 1-Amitagati. Published in Sāmāyikasūtra, Sanmati Jäänapīṭha, Agră.
our individual and social behaviour. What, unfortunately has happened is that the intoxication of ambition and success made us more greedy and egoistic. Our ambitions and desires have no limits. They always remain unfulfilled and the create frustration. Frustration and resentments give birth to mental tensions. These days, the people and nations, more affluent materially having all the amenities of life, are more in the grip of tensions. Medical as well as psychological reports of advanced nations confirm this fact. This shows that the cause of our tensions is not scarcity of the object of necessities, but the endless desires and the lust for worldly enjoyment. Among the most burning problems, the world facing today, that once of mental tension is the prime one. We are living in tension all the time and even a pleasant sound sleephas become a dream. The single and most salient feature by which our age may be characterised is that of tensions.
As a matter of fact, all the problems, we are facing today are created by us hence, their consequences are also to be borne by us.
The main object of Jainism is to emancipate man from his sufferings i.e. mental tensions and thus to attain