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JAINISM AND DEMOCRACY
he does not make an encroachment on the rights of others. Any restriction on this right is Hinsä. Similarly, one has right to think, speak and move freely. A ban on free thinking or speaking is Hinsa. Similarly, to breath in open air and to live the full span of life also is everybody's natural right. Thus, you will see that the principle of Ahinsa includes all the salient features of a democratic life.
Aparigrha, the last vow, is the inner application of nonviolence. In fact Parigraha (af) means attachment (Murchha). It is the main cause of creating distinction between man and man, between thought and thought. If I am attached to an object, it leads to a bondage resulting into disequilibrium of mind and a feeling of difference towards external objects. Similarly, attachment to a particular person creates a distinction and disturbs to the attitude of samatā. This is the cause of all social evils. Attachment to a particular emotion, sometimes commended as nationalism, is the root cause of international distress. It is only samata, the attitude of equality towards all, that can solve the problems. Attachment to thought has given rise to all the creed and sects in the sphere of politics. Consequently religion, which came into existence as a redeemer of humanity became the cause of large-scale blood-shed leading to genocide. The stories of crusades are nothing but the violence carried on for centuries in the name of religion. If we learn to respect the views of other persons as we respect our own and apply the principle of samatā in the sphere of mind the Universe can be saved from the great calamity which is disturbing the mind of every thinker. This samatā in
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