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The Non-absolutistic Attitudes and their Relevance in Jainism and Budhism
• Dr. Ramjee Singh, Ph.D.,D.Litt. Dept. of Philosophy, Bhagalpur University Nayatola, Bhikhanpur, Bhagalpur (Bihar)
The Srmanic culture in India, representing the two thoughts of Jainism and Budhism is characteristically non-absolutistic thought and non-violent in the individual and social behaviour. The Brahamanical culture had developed to some The official philosophy of extent formalism, rigidity and authoritarianism. Brahamanism was influenced by the Upanisadic-vedantic absolutism on the one hand and formalistic ritualism of the Mimansakas on the other.
Jain Education International
Both Jainism and Budhism rose mainly as a reaction against the excesses of Vedic authority, sacredotalism, orthodoxy and last but not the least against cruelty in animal sacrifice. It was both a shock and surprise that the Brahamanism which extolled the unity of beings and advocated high ideals of non-dualism (advaita) and treating every being as one's own self (atmavat-sarva-bhūteshu) and the whole World like one's family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam) stooped so low as to practice cruelty to lower animals and that also in the name of the Vedas and the Vedic religion. There was equal perversion in the social organization of the Brahamanic culture which resulted in the emergence of numerous castes and sub-castes. It seems that the non-dualism was only on the philosophical level. All this led to a serious gap between thought and action. Hence the need of the time was to usher an ethical religion like Budhism and Jainism. The key-note of our ethical life is our good behaviour with others. This is known as love which is negatively termed as Ahimsa (non-violence) in Jainism and positive or as Karuna (companion) in Budhism.
Mahavira Jayanti Smarika, 76
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