Sramana 2016 01

Author(s): Shreeprakash Pandey, Rahulkumar Singh, Omprakash Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi

Page 60

CONCEPT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN JAINA
PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Samani Shashiprajna
Jainism, one of the most ancient religions of the world originated and developed on Indian soil containing a profoundly progressive social attitude. Even in the antiquity start from the first Tīrthankara Rşabha to 24thTīrthankara Mahāvīra, Jaina preceptors discussed at length, how one can protect the rights of one and all. The very concept of Human Rights is becoming very popular in recent years as per UN declaration of the United Nations General assembly. This UNDHR contains a comprehensive list of political, economic, social and cultural rights and aims at the protection of the freedom, equality and human dignity of all human beings, irrespective of their race, gender, colour, language or religion. Never before in the history had there been such a far reaching and solemn undertaking to protect each and every individual from all forms of oppression and deprivation. With this paper I intend to share my views on the Jaina concept of Human Rights and its wide perspective.
The Concept of Human Race as One
Tīrthankara Mahāvīra 2600 years back claimed that Human race is one i.e. ekkā maņussa jāi. He never discriminated any human on the basis of his birth, colour, profession, religion, country, etc. He established the novel notion of oneness of Humanity on the basis of one's action. The criteria for a human lies in the virtue of compassion, sympathy, affection, service, and in the acts of benevolence. He propounded in Uttarādhyayana Sūtra that man is brahmin, kșatriya, vaisya and sūdra not by birth but by action.' Noble thoughts and actions (karmas) justify the human nature. He abolished the prevailing concept of considering one person as high or low on the basis of one's birth, and re-established the merit of action in the world of disparity.