________________
Jain Diaspora
ridicule. The community must remain united in terms of its tenets of non-violence and value-system and its approach to enviornment, life-style and business and commerce. The independence of Jains is not the one akin to India's independence from the British rule; their indepedence is the one which makes one rule for the soul. The society today is afflicted with violence and aggression in which values are trampled upon and universal truths are beings ignored. In such a scenario the Jain religion, with its global vision, can play an important role and contribute significantly to saving the world from imminent disaster and the responsibility rests on the Jains wherever they reside. The future generations will not forgive us if we abdicate our responsibility.
[4] The Jain society is progressive and Jainism is, therefore, found in countries outside India. But it is divided in sects, Gaccha etc and the need of the hour is to get united. Let us remember the dictam fy that is in kaliyug, unity is the real strength. There are forces which are a threat to our unity. There are differences with respect to pilgrim centres, observance of rituals and religious texts. Such differences do exist in other religions too and these external differences often lead to conflicts and dissenssions among the members of the same sect or with other sects, resulting in court cases, or physical violence. What this means is - we are becoming narrow-minded, while in fact, our outlook should be broad and catholic. How can we be narrow-minded when we believe in a
? In the present time, the need of the hour is to adhere to our basic principles, develop a cosmic vision
243
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
