Jainism and Democracy

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

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PANCHA SHILA
out of the ten, which a Bodhisattva attains in his. spiritual journey. The first perfection is Dana i.e. charity; which is a begining on the way to great compassion, Mahākarunā, a special contribution of the Mahayana Budhism.
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In the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali the first four of these precepts have been recognized as the first four of five 'yamas', which constitute the primary equipment of the traveller on the path of yoga. Patanjali furthur says that the five vows are eternal and universal. Their application is not limited to a particular caste, country, time or occasion. They are universal. Similarly, they do not admit of any exception.
Manu, the first law-giver of the Hindu Society, enjoins them as 'Samasika Dharma' i.e. the duty of a man in brief. They resemble five of the ten commandments of Moses, which were reuttered and confirmed by the Christ too. They are found in the Quran also, though not in one place. The Jain scriptures recognize them as 'Vratas'. In the case of a monk they are complete and therefore, termed as Mahavratas (great vows). While in the case of a householder they limited and termed as Anuvratas (smaller vows).
Any number of quotations can be cited here from the great scriptures of the world. The followers of different religious systems may disagree in the conceptions of God, soul and Universe. They descend to bitterness in actual practice, but in the basic code of morality, mainly they are in agreement.