Light of Nonviolence

Author(s): Sushilmuni
Publisher: Vishwa Ahimsa Sangh Delhi

Page 11

The values of everyday life are to be understood in the non-dualistic relation of the soul to the body, mind, and world. Hence, the Jainist theory of knowledge is relativistic or nonabsolutist. However, Jainism is not merely a philosophy of relativism since it assumes that something absolute really does exists, only we cannot know it scientifically or empirically. These are subtle but important initial distinctions.
The purpose or goal of existence is to achieve knowledge of jiva or the soul in relation to ajiva or material being. The soul or what is absolute is assumed to be eternal, perfect, uncreated and fully conscious while ajiva stands in opposition to it. Human beings are a compound of both jiva and ajiva elements or mental and physical, individual and social, karmic and worldly dimensions. Consciousness or mind is the essence of the soul inseparably connected to ethical and material being. The main problem for human beings and our awakening to reality is that opposites attract and we get easily attached to practically everything. Thus we cannot be completely free from the violence of our natural and social being and the suffering that it gives rise to, in existence, since we are creatures of desire which leads to illusions, ignorance, and suffering. However, there is hope since we can realize these existential dilemmas or natural propensities and affirm our personal freedom as the essence of jiva and live with courage, love, and fear
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