Jainism Abroad

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

Page 56

(1988) (SPEECH PRESENTED AT N.Y AT 'PANTA' INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD - WHEN ACHARYA
SHRI 'SUSHEELKUMARJI WAS IN THE CHAIR) ISSUES FACED BY HUMANITY:
"VIOLENCE, WEAPONS AND WARS"
By PROF. PRATAPKUMAR J. TOLIYA, BANGALORE, INDIA.
Birthplace of VIOLENCE is EGO - whether Individual or Collective. This self-centeredness of EGO does not allow one to be open and broadminded enough to see, consider and accept other side of the aspect, the opposite point of view and the TRUTH in it.
That's why while going deep into the study and analysis of Violence, the Ancient, original and independent Philosophy of Jainism in the evolvement of Indian Spiritual progress, has seen and stressed the utmost importance of "SYADAWADA" or "ANEKANTAWADA" for getting rid of VIOLENCE of all kinds. The Great Modern Gandhian Thinker & Interpreter of BHAGAVAD GEETA, Acharya Vinoba Bhave has given glaring tribute to Jain Philosophy for its unique contribution of "SYADAWADA" - the understanding and accepting of others' points of views in the fulfillment and achievement of AHIMSA - "NON-VIOLENCE".
But one's Ego does not allow the openness and flexibility of seeing the truth in relativity and in its all sided integrated total form. And hence the outcome, gradual outcome, of Ego - whether Individual or Collective will be nothing but Violence and Wars.
Hence in my humble opinion EGO is the greatest hurdle in World Peace and solution of the problems of Mankind. Several learned speakers and studious thinkers will have their own expressions and revelations about the problems facing the humanity. While mine is an humble simple exposition and vision. A vision with reason-internal and external - both having two sides of the same TRUTH. As such, is not the manifestation of EGO the foremost problem facing the Humanity-resulting in Violence, Wars and Weapons from simple one to the All destroying Nuclears?
Ego of one or several human beings - either in Individual or National form has its far-reaching impacts in the world nearby and far. So it will be quite clear to accept that EGO is the nerve centre of all the problems facing the mankind in first instance.
Subtle are the ways and difficult are the expressions of EGO, which remains hidden under the masks of various ideologies which think themselves to be superb superior or supreme and others to be wrong or discardable. They can't see or tolerate the co-existence of other side's ideology.
In spite of an Individual's or Nation's Ego, one neither realizes the same, nor has the courage, honesty or sincerity to rise above one's narrow "individual" or so called "patriotic, national world in the interest of the whole humanity to accept the reality and integrated totality. This sort of Integrated point of view could be born of observation, sincere and all-sided observation, having the wholeness and humanity's good before it.
. The moment one observes, honestly observes and realizes the unprecedented existence of the undercurrent of Ego and its various products, the process of its melting, eradicating or transformation takes place consciously or unconsciously and the welfare of the whole world comes in the forefront and that of one's own next. The consideration and compassion for others takes place and the process of eradication of violence and wars, takes shape through various means. But mad fanaticism of one's self superiority complex or fear complex does not allow one to come to this stage of transformation of Ego and Realization of Total Truth.