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Non-absolutism in thought leads to catholic outlook & liberalism in action. One sidedness or extremism is generally the result of deep prejudice against the otherside. Hence it is more likely to be erroneous. Thus truth is the first casualty in taking an extremist non-absolutistic position. It is like committing mental violence. Its manifestation takes place in our words and deeds. Ideas move the world. Ideas influence our action. Hence the ideological foundation of nonviolence must be found out in human psychology. Not only the defences of war but also of peace are built in our mind. Human mind is not watertight compart ment. What we think influences our action, violence in thought and non-violence in action can not go together. Hence, the Jainas have built an intellectual edifia for the support of non-violence, which they regard as the supreme virtue ahimsa parmo dharmah. This is called Anekantväda. Similarly the Budhists stress upon compassion and love (Karunā and Maitri) is rooted in the dectrine of middle path. Imperialism in thought cannot yield compassion love & mutual adjustment. Like non-absolutism in thought & action, we have to develop non-absolutism in word, an unconditional unconditional judgement called Syādvāda. In Budhism, along with Right views (Samyak dristi) and Right Resolve (Samyak sankalpa) we have Right speech (Samyak Vacha) which is again a midway between an over statement and under statement. Hence, we have to avoid lying (Mrsavachana), harsh words Cparusa vachana), slander (Vyanga vachana) and frivolous talk (Sampratapa). If one has no mental ill-will, no reservations, no prejudice there cannot come out a stader or harsh words.
The non-absolutistic attitude has got a great relevance for modern time. This is an age of tension. When one does not agree with my views, he is called a traitor or a facist and so on. But we should not forget that views are bound to differ. Our views are guided by our circumstances, mental conditions, prejudices and bias. Human beings are not automatic machines. They have great capacity to change. Hence, even on any obvious problem, their views are bound to differ. We should allow sufficient margin for individual differences and try to adjust accordingly. This is all the more necessary when the ideological divisions are very sharp. There is an undeclared perpetual ideological war throughout the world. And every country thinks that those who agree with them are right and rest others. are wrong. This leads to tension and war. But the atomic era has come with a message-atom or ahimsa, coexistence or non-existence, we must adopt either. non-absolutistic attitude of the Jainas or the attitude of friendliness and compassion of Budhism, there is no other way. Hence, Jainism and Budhism are more relevant today than ever.
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Mahavira Jayanti Smarika, 76
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