Book Title: Jainism
Author(s): M R Gelra
Publisher: Createspace

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Page 81
________________ (iii) Leo Tolstoy It was in 1884 that Count Leo Tolstoy had spiritual awakening and found the principle of non-violent resistance (which he called "non-resistance") the key to understand the Gospels, a new understanding of his life and of modern society in his age. Nonviolence became the ethical basis for his doctrine of Truth Force, which was later developed by Mahatma Gandhi in his "Satyagraha" philosophy and Dr. Martin Luther King junior, in his concept of Soul-Force. His strong belief in Non-violence is described by his following quote: "But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person, who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you." (iv) Acharya Tulsi Acharya Tulsi educated people through 'Anuvrat - a Moral Movement, which focuses on five important rules : • Do not kill any living being • Do not steal Do not lie Do not smoke and deal with drugs • Do not be involved in misconduct By adopting these rules in our social lives, it will serve the purpose of maintaining nonviolence, human values and preserving the environment. Later on, Acharaya Tulsi prescribed 'Jeevan Vigyan' a course to be taught and practiced to learn non-violent life style through education. These are the views and beliefs of Non-violence from some of the greatest minds in history. We will notice a similarity between their beliefs: They all give great importance to the role of Education in Non-violence. Education of non-violence can cover two dimensions : 1. Global breadth 2. And in the depth of the human spirit. In the age of globalization, members of remote clans have now become our immediate neighbours, in both actual and virtual realities. With the emergence of such global villages arises the need for dialogue on global ethics and intercultural faith. The education on non-violence can serve the purpose of bonding different faiths because 81

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