Jainism and Democracy

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

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16
JAINISM AND DEMOCRACY
infinite power (Anant Virya). These infinites are obscured by the corresponding Karmic matter. The path of salvation means to remove the karmic obscurance and bring the four infinites in the state of full manifestation. All religious practices are directed towards this goal. This path is analysed in three aspects of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. Faith generates power and right conduct results in happiness.
The approach of Buddhism is negative. It holds that (a) is the root-cause of all evils. This desire is the sole cause of our weakness. It misdirects the flow of own activity and obscures the vision of truth.
At the same time, it enjenders unhappiness as is never satisfied. 'Trishna' is produced by the notions of happiness permanence, substantiality and generality about anything internal or external. In order to conquer this, Buddhism prescribed a meditation on the four noble truths. That is:
1. Every thing is painful (ag:ú gan )
2. Every thing is perishable (afu afu ) 3. Every thing is unsubstantial () 4. Every thing is unique (agu zangug )
The Upanishads regarded the soul as above the phenomenal world, which was the positive ideal of attainment. But Buddhism denies that, that is a desire and attachment. In order to get liberation one is required to conquer that also. Power according to Buddhism is nothing in the positive. It is a negation of weakness in the form of desires and attachments.