________________
150
JAINISM AND DEMOCRACY
ponsible for his happiness and miseries. He himself is the maker of his hell or heaven.
4. Respect for spiritual potency-Every soul, according to Jainism, possesses unlimited potencies. Fundamentally all souls are equal. The difference shows only the stages of development. Jainism does not accept any difference of caste or creed on the basis of birth.
The above four respects constitute the fundamentals of democracy which the modern man has yet to learn.
Similarly, Jainism emphasises on personal or inner friendship i.e. accordance in mind, speech, and action, the code generally neglected by the modern leader of humanity.
The festival of Paryushana symbolizes all the ideals stated above. It falls on the 5th bright day of every Bhadrapada in the last days of rainy season.
It is observed by keeping fast for the whole day and night up to the next sunrise and holding Pratikramana in the evening Almost all the family members go without meals and a majority of them even without water. The youngsters also follow the tradition according to their ability. If they do not feel strong enough to pass the entire day without meals they confine themselves to one meal. Those with advanced practice observe the fast even for a longer period. Athai i.e., a fast for eight days is very common. The entire day is devoted to listening to religious sermons and introspection. The observance begins eight day earlier and an atmosphere of penance, piety, charity, philanthropy and brother-hood prevails.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
