Jainism and Democracy

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

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JAINISM AND DEMOCRACY
(5) Futile gossip. If all of the above considerations are kept in view, one can clearly observe that the principle of non-violence, as developed in Jainism, safeguards all social and individual rights of a person. It provides Sequal right to every being not only to live but to fully I develop and exercise all his potencies. Respect for Mind
The respect for life gradually developed into respect for mind and it is the basis of Jain logic. We generally abuse our opponent as a liar without understanding his view point. If we show same respect for the mind of our opponent as we have for our own, much of the un-- necessary controversy would cease. This respect for mind has developed into the theory of Non-absolution or Anekanta Vada. Prof. A.B. Dhruva has designed it as 'Intellectual non-violence.
It should be stated here that Jainism is a staunch realist. It does not admit anything as purely subjective and proposes that all viewpoints with apparent contradiction, emerge from experience. They are based on a corresponding objective quality. The difference lies in the individual choice only, and, we should have the same respect for choice of the so-called oponent as we have for our own.
In a cultured society we do show proper regard for different tastes and choices. But that regard is confined to physical comfort only. In the intellectual field we do not show the same sense of culture. The contribution of Jainism in this respect is unique. In the present age, when democracy is regarded as a sign of culture,