Jainism and Democracy

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

Page 56

PANCHA SILA
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the principle of respect for mind is not only highly use-. ful but imperative. Respect for Man
The third thing is respect for man. This eliminates all types of discrimination based on sex or caste. Jainism admits that every human being, whether a Brahman or the so-called low-bred possesses soul with similar qualities and therefore, is equally entitled to all religious duties which are the way to spiritual development.
In the order of Mahavira there were many monks who came from chandala or other low caste and enjoyed same status as the monks from noble families. The monk who was junior even by one day used to salute his senior without any consideration of high or low birth. Respect for personal effort
The fourth but one of the most important point is, respect for personal effort. Jainism believes that a person himself is responsible for his happiness and miseries. Curses and boons, which were a dominating factor in the Puranic age, have no place here. The respect for personal effort has developed into the Jaina theory of Karman; which is the foundation of Jain ethics in its spiritual aspect. There are fourteen steps, known as 'Gunasthanas' constituting the ladder to salvation. The aspirant climbs its steps by step removing the obstruction of Karman. At the end, when the soul is fully purified of the Karmic pollution, it is liberated and becomes 'Mukta.'
Jainism does not believe in an Almighty Creator. It holds that every soul can becomes 'paramatman' when