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Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
violence is like a shelter for fearful persons, like a flying path for birds and like water for thirsty persons. It results in benefit for all beings, mobile (trasa) and immobile (sthāvara)."
Thus concept of society in Jainism can be formulated in the following words- "Society is a phenomenon of all living beings that exists on their mutual relations and behaviour." All human beings on the ground of humanity are equal and their purpose is achieving high goals of life. The perception of society in Jaina philosophy and religion is to strive for a condition of existence without fear in order render service to one another. It should be without exploitation and be beneficial for all.
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Relevance of Society in World-Renouncing Jainism
Jainism is considered as a world-renouncing religion, hence someone may assume that concept of society in Jainism is difficult to sustain, but Jaina religion has both the qualities. It suggests the principle of renunciation of the worldly sensual pleasure for the sake of salvation from sorrows and also it inspires to engage oneself in doing welfare of others along with self-restraint from the sensual pleasure and sinful acts. The Uttaradhyayanasūtra explains:
"Refrain from one side and engage your self to other side, abstain from sinful acts and do the acts of self-restraint.'
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10PV 2.1.3: esā sā bhagavai ahimsā jā sā bhīyāṇam viva saranam, pakkhiņam viva gamaṇam, tisiyāṇam viva salilam, tasa-thāvara-savva-bhūya-khemankarī.
"Utt 31.2: egao viraim kujjā egao ya pavattaṇam;
asañjame niyattim kujjā, sañjame ya pavattaṇam.
