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Jainism: The Cosmic Vision the illustration of the seven blind men who were trying to know what an elephant was like. It is only when human beings adopt Anekant that half the sorrows of life would disappear. Vinobaji considers the concept of Anekant as Mahavira's greatest gift to the world.
Albert Einstien discovered the Theory of Relativity applicable to the physical world, while Bhagwan Mahavira propounded relativity in our everyday life 2600 years ago. Acharya Jinbhadra explains the concept of Anekant in the following words - "the disputes and contradictions remain intact between different opinions as long as one does not look to the truth through assimilation and coordination. The dispute between various opinions is the product of one's own faults and weaknesses."
Nowadays people seem to think that religion has little importance in modern life, and that it cannot play any significant part in shaping the character of the people. To this, we could say in the words of Joseph Gear, "Those who have lived among the Jains find them very kindly people, and better people because of their religion."
We should unite at this crucial juncture of world history and make efforts to save humanity from extinction. It is essential that we try our best to revitalize our religious and moral principles and unite to ensure peace and harmony. Jainism preaches amity towards all beings, compassion for the miserable and detachment from possessions.
In order to discourage violence, Bhagwan Mahavira proclaimed that the entire human race is one, THURITÉ I At a time when communalism, hatred, violence and terrorism have
Towards A Truly Global Society become rampant in contemporary times, this preaching of Bhagwan Mahavira should be our true ideal. Indeed, we have many ideals before us, but it is time to practise them.
If a world religion of this order is to emerge, I have no hesitation in saying that most of the tenets of Jainism will always find a proud place in it. The Greeks used to say, "Call no man happy, until he is dead." Whereas Jainism, on the other hand, claims : "Call every man happy who lives his life following truthfully the principles of Jainism."
The message of Jainism has even a greater relevance today. By following this path, it will be possible for us to make a meaningful use of the wonderful inventions of science and technology and make them truely blissful and create global society free from hunger and hate - at peace with itself and with its environment. Thus there will be a heaven on this earth. What more does a human being want?
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