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Jainism: The Cosmic Vision of salvation, etc., constantly recall their good qualities to one's mind and derive pleasure from it. At least one should not indulge in backbiting, slandering and reproaching others.
15. Compassion : Having compassion on the miserable, the poor, the helpless and the wicked, one should ever strive to remove or lessen their hardships and sufferings. One should render all possible assistance and service to them. One should help them financially according to one's capacity. One should always reflect as to when one will attain the spiritual capacity to free the beings from evil activities that cause misery. One should never be hard-hearted and cruel.
Towards A Truly Global Society
16. The feeling of indifference: When one comes across a person, who does not adopt a wholesome path inspite of one's right instruction and advice, but on the contrary disrespects and despises one, one should not be angry with such a deluded, perverse and egoist person, but should maintain an attitude of neutrality (indifference) towards him. Of course, under such circumstances, it is very difficult to maintain an attitude of neutrality. One should pray the Lord that we may attain more and more capacity to maintain an attitude of neutrality when our attempt at reforming a person or a group of persons ultimately comes to utter nought.
These sixteen soteriological reflections are spiritually beneficial to one's self and to others as well. They endow one with new spiritual vision or attitude as opposed to old worldly one. They purify the soul and manifest its natural love for truth. This natural love for truth is strengthened by them.
Today when the whole world is involved in widespread violence, it will have to heed to the principle of non-violence with sincerity, devotion and respect more than what was shown to it in the past. Violence at the individual level and also at the level of the whole universe is increasing day by day in one form or the other. From every six rupees collected by way of tax from the starving millions, atleast one rupee is being spent on the army and on armaments and what one gets in return is fear, terror and insecurity. The same super powers which have created these weapons of destruction have now to enter into mutual treaties to eliminate them. Countries, which on one hand are talking of peace, are preparing for war on the other hand. Ahimsa or non-violence is not a supreme precept, it is more a way of life which gives shape to humanity and to human beings. The most ancient Jain scripture Acharang Sutra says, "Not to kill or harm or destroy any animal, living species or being is the purest, permanent and most eternal religion." The very first
