Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 41

(38) : Pristine Jainism take bribes and condone substandard materials and specifications even in construction of important dams, bridges, hospitals etc. Forest officers, who know best about importance of forests, become instrumental in their destruction for selfish gains. Teachers drawing fat salary do not teach in classes but at home tuitions to fatten their purse with black money. Inspectors do not inspect to check irregularities but go round to collect weekly or monthly gratifications. Policemen do not protect but are partners of thieves, dacoits and criminals. Judges do not impart justice and are being lured like others to monetary considerations. There is growing corruption in the purchase of army equipment and even in rations of soldiers. Traders generally indulge in adulteration. The breaking of our age-old joint family system is an agonising trend. The instability of elected Governments because of defections is because of personal ego and selfish considerations. The so-called leaders have encouraged infiltration from neighbouring countries for augmenting their vote banks, though it has created problems for the country. Even border security personal took bribes to allow infiltrators and revenue and forest officials helped in their permanent settlement. All these aberrations are because of growing individualism, alienation and insensitiveness to harm and loss to others.
Symbiotic concepts of Jainism
Jainism subscribes to mutualism and opposes predation, parasitism, exploitation and violence in any form. It enjoins on its laity (house holders) and ascetics (monks) strict adherence to code of conduct, revering all forms of life, big and small and prescribing careful, judicious utilisation of gifts of nature with utmost respect for all animate and in animate constituents of environment. According to Jainism the universe comprises six substances (Dravyas) viz., Jiva(all life forms), Pudgala (all inanimate matter), Dharma(substance instrumental in motion), Adharma(substance instrumental in stay), Akāśa (all space) and Kāla (time). The following excerpts from chapter V of Tattvārtha Sutra (Moksa Šāstra) by Ācārya Umāsvāmi, which is one of the most authentic and accepted canonical literatures emphasise the mutuality (symbiotic existence) of all six substances.