Book Title: Jainism And Its History
Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology

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Page 258
________________ enmityo. When the fear vanishes and enmity dissolves there is no need for armaments. Thus, the sense of security and accumulation of arni and weapons are related to each other. Though, arms and weapons are considered as means of security yet these, instead of giving security, generate fear and a sense of insecurity in the opposite party hence a mad race for accumulation of superior weapons starts. Bhagwan Mahāvīra had seen this truth centuries before that there is no end to this mad race for weapons. In Ācārānga (C. 4" B.C.) he proclaimed “atthi sattham parenaparam natthi asattham parenaparam” i.e. there are weapons superior to each other, but nothing is superior to asastra i.e. disarmament or non-violence'. It is the selfish and aggressive outlook of an individual or a society that gives birth to war and violence. They are the expressions and outcome of our sick mentality. It is through firm faith in mutual credibility and non-violence that humanity can get rid of this mad race for nuclear weapons and thus can solve the problem of its survival. THE PROBLEM OF WAR AND VIOLENCE At the root of all types of wars and violence, there lies the feeling of discontentment as well as the will for power and possession. According to Sūtrakrtānga", the root of violence is attachment or will for possession. A book namely “Tension that causes war” tells us that economic inequalities, insecurities and frustrations create group conflicts. It is true that in the old days the cause of war was only will for power and possession, whether it was the possession of women or land or money. But now-a-days economic inequality, over population, sense of insecurity and unequal treatment on the basis of caste, creed and colour may be added to the causes of wars. Jaina thinkers have all the time Jainism and its History | 256

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