Jainism and Democracy

Author(s): Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: I A S S Jain Conference New Delhi

Page 16

THE REAL DEMOCRACY
attain salvation through the requisite inner purification. They divide the souls attaining salvation into fifteen types and place all the aspirants at par. It does not matter whether they are within the order or without, in the uniform of a Jaina monk or in any other form belonging to any sex or creed or with their own creed. The first condition of democracy is not to recognize any difference on the basis of caste, creed, sex, nationality or any other external factor and to hold that inner qualification is the only criteria for a high position or office.
All souls according to Jainism are fundamentally of the same nature, which is clouded by external factors. Jaina sādhana means a gradual conquest of soul over the non-soul. Those who have won the entire battle are called Jains, the conquerors. In the ascetic order of Jainism seniority is based on this conquest. Longer the period of this spiritual struggle higher in rank becomes the person. Sometimes as a punishment for serious offense the aspirant is demoted by reducing the period of his ascetic life. It only means that the treasure of his spiritual wealth goes down with every digression.
... Jainism is not dogmetic even to a particular code of
conduct. Honesty or sincerity is the chief criteria. Sanghadasa Gani, an ancient commentator of Jain canons declares that the Jinendras have proposed neither injunation, nor prohibition. They have ordered that a person :should be sincere and honest in his transactions.
i The institute of religion comprises of four elements : Deity, priest, beliefs and practices. Jainism does