Sambodhi 1998 Vol 22

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 94

IMPACT OF JAINISTIC PERCEPTIONS ON SOCIETY
N
L. Jain
Society and its Components
The term 'Human Society' is defined as everchanging complex and awaring system consisting of individuals, communities and institutions mutually interesting and reciprocating a web of social relationship and organised on the basis of similarity of culture, ideology and behaviour etc for their overall welfare and stability Gupta and Sharma' have mentioned many examples like Kamla (1920), Anna (1938) and Ramu - the wolf-boy (1954) to indicate that an individual is only a biological species at birth but he develops as a social being in the society inheriting language, habits, cultural values and behaviours Thus, the individual and society are interdependant for their mutual growth The sociologists have counted more than a dozen impact factors for overall growth, central power and development of society involving family, mares, customs, political and legal system, education, morality and religion etc Among these, religious thoughts (and lives of torch bearers) are major factors influencing the individual and society in many ways leading them towards the sacred path of cultivation of good virtues, better economic, moral and equalıtarian life, development of personality, personal security, psychological satisfaction, moral recreation and adjustment capacity The society, in general, has two forms . (a) animal and (b) human We are concerned here with the human society only The biological difference between the two is not important However, the earlier seers have differentiated them on the basis of religion This term has been elaborated in terms of eighteen sociocultural factors by sociologist They involve the way of life-thoughts and practices, physical and non-physical culture of arts, language, literature, philosophy, ideals and values and customs and traditions Thus, the term religion is taken as a sociological factor for human society specifying its various thoughts and activities The relgion, thus, has high impact in society involving groups and individuals The society consists of many groups based primarily on religion, class communities, professions, politics, economics and culture etc The religion, being defined as a way of life, has impact of all these gr for the aforesaid objects The