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Multifaceted symbiotic philosophy of ..... : 59 beings but goes a step further to bring in human conduct in relation to all living beings and natural environment. Every existence has intrinsic worth and it must be given due respect. In case there happens some misconduct due to ignorance or negligence or even willfully there is a provision for forgiveness and repentance. Following the Śramaņa tradition Jainism advocates selfsameness (samatva) in all existence in spite of their inherent differences. It thus has the unique feature of synthesizing quantitative and qualitative monism and pluralism, monadic uniqueness and modal dependence. In fact Anekāntavāda is the cardinal tenet of Jainism and it is impregnated with immense possibilities of drawing out newer and newer implications and corollaries for cosmic well-being. But this should not be mere intellectual exercise. It must involve programmatic action at the corporate level on a cosmic scale. This may not be easy but not impossible.
Ahimsā is a corollary of samatva, and it can also be regarded as extension of Anekāntavāda. It enjoins equal respect and mutual dependence of all existences. Ahimsā is the highest virtue because it alone can lead to spiritual realization. Anekānta is at the level of thought and ahimsā is at the level of practice. The two are thus complimentary. In the Rgveda we find tremendous emphasis on these two. There are two significant dimensions of ahimsā. One is to treat all existences, living as well as non-living as of equal worth. This gives rise to a conducive and healthy environmental consciousness. Nature is as valuable as our own existence and therefore nature is to be respected. In Jainism we find both surface ecology of external environment and depth ecology of inner environment. It is the inner which affects the outer and must therefore first to be attended to. The other dimension is treating all living beings as equal. This leads to vegetarianism. Samatva along with s'amatva has led to two very important concepts of asteya and aparigraha. Asteya means not to deprive others from
