________________
Religion and Non-Violence
27
[do it] as though with a cup of water they could extinguish a whole wagon-load of faggots on fire, and when the flames are not put out, say that water cannot overcome fire. Such a course is the greatest aid to what is contrary to love, for the final outcome will simply be thus--the loss (of that small amount of love).” Mencius preached love and tolerance to his fellow-men. Here is a man who treats me
in a perverse and unreasonable manner. In such case the superior man will turn round upon himself:
"I must have been wanting in propriety, How should this have happened to me?"
He examines himself, and is especially benevolent. He turns round upon himself,
and is especially observant of propriety. The perversity and unreasonableness of the other,
however, are still the same. The superior man will again turn round upon himself:
"I must have been failing to do my utmost." He turns round upon himself, and proceeds to do his
utmost.
When one subdues men by force,
they do not submit to him in heart, But because their strength is not adequate. When one subdues men by virtue,
they are pleased in their hearts' core, And submit sincerely." There are men who say: "I am skilful at marshalling troops
'I am skilful at conducting a battle:' They are great criminals.3
Islamism
Islam, whose followers number one in every seven people in the world, gathered momentum and spread far and wide among people in lands far off from the place of its origin. The religion and the empire that Islam created produced a rich new culture
1 Mencius, 4.2.28,5,5,6. 2 ibid, 2.1.3.2. 3 Ibid, 7.2.4.1.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
