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goo.
Śramana tradition emphasizes for the observance of Non-injury (Ahimsā), truthfulness (Satya) and 'Non possession' (Aparigraha) in the household life which, Purity it turn into it as the ideal one.
A family based on such universal moral Values may be the idcal family. This may be an answer for tlle stress generating from the maladies of modern life. The loss of Values and the pressure of ecological imbalance and atmospheric pollution as well as widespread corruption in our society are causing strains in our life and weakening of family life. The ideals taught in our Dharmaśāstric texts are still relevant today. In fact, loss of character and integrity, apathetic attitude towards our duty, very narrow attitude, of selfinterest and lack of the sense of our responsibility towards society and the nature around us, lack of patriotism, wide spread corruption, violence bestial indulgence in grossest sensual pleasure are the glaring maladies of modern society. Answer to these maladies lies in the concept of ideal family taught in our Dharna-śāstras.
The external aspect of religion may divide us, but the true and the core of religion unites us and upholds the smallest social unit, i.e., the family,
I hope this eternal, true and universal religiosity would continue to mould of family institution and, thus, we shall be able to Maintain the high ideals of family not only for ourselves, but for the rest of the humanity also as the path-setter.
So, in the prevailing circumstances, I would like to thank the organizers Prashwanath Vidyapeeth and Banaras Parsvanath Jirnoddhara trust and especially to great Acarya Pujya Rajyash Surishvar ji Maharaj for his inspiration and blessing in organizing this seminar on such a burning topic, which has assumed global reference. Our sacred religious treatises or canons are our constant guide not only in spiritual life but also in temporal life. So, I hope that the serious deliberation, which will follow in the next session will provide guidance to the problems of society.
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