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Talib amik
Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was passed after the SecIond World War, there has not been any end to war nor to violation of human rights. There have been a number of conflicts across the world due to this or that reason. Human beings have known terror since the time immemorial. Lightening, floods, earthquakes, social injustice, poverty, inhuman treatment, religious mania and so on caused terror. If one follows the way of humanity and spirituality, the terrorism will never arise. The pre-historic discovered on one hand the true nature of the elements and he evolved arrangments the other hand to protect himself against such terror. The observation of true nature of religion and spirituality is one of the non-violent ways and means which may solve the basic social problems. Jainism did it through its social observations.
Samyama or self-restraint is the basis of Jainism. It is seen in the various vows; disciplines, codes of conduct and other doctrines propounded by Jainacaryas.Modesty, discipline, compassion, charity and other such good qualities are essence of Jainism and Jainism is to have a Right faith (Samyagdarsana) as its foundation. Right faith means right vision. Self-confidence, faith, trust and fidelity are its ingredients. Without realizing the self, it is aimless wandering in the undiscovered caves of fallacious reasoning.
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The Fundamental Human Rites and Jainism
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Jainism observed the fundamental human rites by observing the householdership or domestic life. This aspect may be divided into two stages. The first is the commencement stage termed as Pakshitka Shravaka and the second one is the superior stage termed as Naishthika Sharvaka. The Householder (Sravaka or Sramanopasaka)is one who listens the Dahrma with full faith from Acarayas and I Paramesthis. He is the one whose sins flow away from him (sravanti yasya papani). He is also called Agari or Sagari because he stays in the house. He prepares him- 1 self gradually and steadily to renounce the world with right faith by observing the rules prescribed and then fulfils the responsibilities for the welfare of the family, ascetics, society, nation and mankind. The Upasakadasanga, Sravakprajnapti, Ratnakarandasravakacara, Vasunandi, Sravakacara, Sagaradharmamritas, and so many other Jain texts explained much on the characteristics of laity.
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Some of the important attributes of the householder may be mentioned as follows! :- observation of non-violence, compassion, legitimate earning, hospitality, refraining from unnecessary criticism of Government, keeping good company, paying respect to parents, service of people, observing religious preaching, firm in conduct, right character, gratefulness, generosity, being afraid of sin, meditation, celibacy, no food at night, refusal of food with life, giving up possessions, honesty, appreciating conduct, life and activities of spiritually advanced people, avoiding expenditures exceeding income and so on. Such rules make life pleasant. These attributes consider the ecology an indispensable part of spirituality and life as well. Possessed of such qualities the votary will reform not only himself but also his society. The spir
