Sambodhi 1998 Vol 22

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

Page 96

Vol XXII, 1998
(Happiness, H and Satisfaction, S
The happiness and satisfaction are the prime objectives of life and religion The Jaina system postulates that human welfare, happiness, H or satisfaction, SIS proportional to religiosity, R If H or S is defined as the number of desires / acquirements divided by their total numbers, we have, as the economists will
IMPACT OF JAINISTIC PERCEPTIONS ON SOCIETY
say
R HD/D, and S =Aq/Aq,
This leads to the result that if one wishes to maximise H or S, the number of desires or acquirements must be made minimum, 1 e the denominator must be very small This is what the theory of non-possession or Aparigraha postulates One has to limit them for better life This principle states limitation in consumeristic mentality and, therefore, better welfare and religiosity It has a potency of increasing overall pleasure in the world
(2) Perception of Three A's (or N's, Individual Triad)
S1
S, * S, + S,
85
The Jinistic perception of three A's (or N's) is very important for the welfare of individual and society It aims at cultivation of one's own mind, speech and body This triad of non-violence, non-one-sided-ness and non-possession represents the process of highest welfare If one follows this triad, it results in multiplicity of its effects, as shown below N, (Non-violence) + N, (Nononesided-ness) + N, (Non-possession) N,N,N, This is the perception of welfare at Individual level This tnad is the exposition of non-violence at every level It is not a totally negative term In positive way, it means love and reverence In a practical way, it is minimising pain and passion to self and others It is positivity-onented negativity with optimisite bias
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(3) Perception of Three S's (Sociological Triad)
The Jaina system is a shramanic (Striver) system It has the welfare of the society as an objective This could be attained by the tnad of Sweating, S,, Selfsupporting, S, and Sameness, S, It is known that as one works hard, one becomes self-supporting and all hard workers develop sameness among all This triad belongs to the makers of own destiny This triad has also the multiple effect like the earlier one This trad exemplifies the development of the society through karmic processes
S,S,S,
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