Book Title: Sramana 2008 07
Author(s): Shreeprakash Pandey, Vijay Kumar
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi

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Page 94
________________ The role of Jainism in Evolving a Global Ethics : 89 creatures. Jaina philosophy protects them and inspires for limited use of all these living things. Ethical discipline (ācāra dharma) is an important aspect of Jainism. The foundation of this ethical discipline is non-violence. No one has any right to destroy or harm any other living being. Every one wants to live and nobody wants to die. The laying down of the commandment not to kill and not to damage is one of the greatest events" as rightly observed by Albert Schweitzer.'' For attainment of salvation Jainism puts much emphasis on triple jewels samyagdarśana, samyagjñana and samyagcāritra. Goal of individual's life is to achieve peace and happiness in life, which can only be achieved by good conduct. "As you sow, so shall you reap" is the most fundamental doctrine of Jaina ethical system. Man is the architect of his own fate. It is this belief, which holds him responsible for his own miseries and happiness. It is this belief again, which inspires him to ethical considerations in his conduct."' Passions like anger, ego, deceit and greed are the main causes of violence. We can protect Environment by reducing our greed i.e. by reducing our passions. Ego and attachment are causes of saṁsāra. We should control both ego and attachment to lead happy and peaceful life. Jainism has prescribed different experiments and trainings to reduce ego and attachment. Without greed ego cannot take birth. By limiting greed we can save environment and their components earth, water, fire, air, vegetables and small creatures, which are all living beings as per Jaina philosophy. Good activities are to be deemed as a means and not as an end in itself. Even the subtlest form of passion in the form of ego is to be swept away. The moral virtues should be observed with the ultimate end in view without a tinge of egoism. The transcendental morality is not an excuse for moral slackness. The enlightened rise above the ordinary duties of life is the awareness of a higher purpose of life. The ordinary man should fulfill his duties with a detached view. Thus Jainism has non-violence and Anekānta such root fundamentals with the help of them it can prove itself new model of moral and Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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