Jainism and World Problems

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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JAINISM AND WORLD PROBLEMS
the moral law. But it is all different in Jainism. The Law and the reason for the Låw are so clearly stated in it that the heart is at once fascinated by the Doctrine, and longs to follow in the Path of Those Holy Ones who have gone ahead. Back-sliding to a certain extent is unavoidable in all cases, but in Jainism repentance is speedy, and proceeds from the heart.
Moral Law is as applicable to nations as it is to individuals ; and here also ahimsa comes to our aid to introduce an era of peace and plenty. If we disregard its golden rule, we must be prepared for the retribution which is sure to overtake us, howsoever slow in manifesting itself. I think the point is clearly stated in the Bible when it is said : they who take to the sword shall perish with the sword. This applies to all un-ioral and immoral actions. The East has been exploited and demuded of its wealth for centuries by the nations of the West, by means of trade and also in other ways not strictly in conformity with inoral laws. But what is the effect of it to-day? The West is suffering now itsel from financial depression, and is face to face with want, in spite of all the ship-loads of gold and jewels that it brought away from the East. Only it has taken a few cen. turies to arrive at this unhappy condition. Great Empires have been built and destroyed in the past ages, as to-day. Their failure is always to be attributed to the failure of the emperors and kings to observe the rule of ahimsa, in all cases. Retributive justice takes diverse shapes in inflicting punishinent on the wrong-doing nation. In some cases it is split up into diverse parts, which become iinbued with hatred and fall fighting with one another. Sometimes the enemies combine, and, taking advantage of a weak moment, destroy the empire. But even if there were no enemies left to be dreaded, the law of the compensating balance by itself suffices to overthrow the nation that lives in disregard of the golden rule of ahimsa. For the virus of the sentiments