Jainism and Democracy

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

Page 18

THE REAL DEMOCRACY
himself is the moulder of his destiny. Deity has nothing to do with that.
The worship goes to the ideal and not to the person. The word Tirthankara, as the deity is recognized in Jainism, gives that sense clearly. It means the ‘maker of path'
Tirthankaras found out a path for attaining peace and happiness, and introduced it to the public. They are worshipped because their ideal would lead others too to that destination. Thus, we see that Jainism does not favour the creed of personal worship. .
The third element of religion is Belief. Belief in equality of souls is the foundation of Jain ethics. Belief in equality of experience is the basis of Jain metaphysics and Belief in equality of thought is the basis of Jain Logic. We shall discuss later how these beliefs have developed into the main currents of this full fledged system. Let us first take the fourth element i.e. practices. I have already referred to the Jaina practice of Samhayika. Similarly, we have Pratikramana. It is also a daily rite where the monks and lay followers repeat their vows and repent for ommissions and commissions done delibrately or without notice. A monk must observe this rite every morning and evening. A lay follower may observe it daily, fortnightly or after a period of four months. But nobody can claim to be a Jaina without observing it at least once a year.
At the conclusion of this rite the observer repeats the 'hymn of friendship.' He forgives others and asks others for their forgiveness.