Training in Nonviolence

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Anuvrat Global Organization

Page 31

Non-absolutist Lifestyle - An Antidote to Violence
between Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and us. He read our writings on reconciliation between science and spirituality and was so impressed that an intimate relationship was forged. This relationship was extended to many other scientists as well. We are free to do something new, innovative. We are bound by time because in anekant reconciliation is sought between two different philosophical truths.
(vii) Training in Harmonious Co-existence
When I came to Udaipur, I said something about non-absolutist lifestyle. You say it is a city of lakes. Tourists come here in large numbers. They stay here for a few days, visit different historical places, palaces and an indelible impression is created on their minds. I also agree that it is a good city, a tourist centre but what else. In addition to being a tourist city its environment should be so peaceful that it may become a model of co-existence. It may show the world a way to peaceful co-existence. If we feel the cool breeze here on account of the lakes, we also experience the coolness of peaceful co-existence. If the tourists go back with this enlightened experience, it will have a lasting impact on their outlook. Otherwise their memories of Udaipur will disappear after ten-fifteen days when they arrive in another city. On the very first day of my arrival in the city, I advised the Chairman of the Municipal Corporation and the Chairman of the Urban Improvement Trust to create an environment of training here, begin a programme of training here. Let us first concentrate on fifty families and impart to them a training of living together peacefully. If we see any change in them, then we may select another batch of 100 families for this extremely significant endeavour. I wish that a plan or a project is formulated. We have a period of four months at our disposal.
A few days ago some trade union leaders came to meet me. I said to them, "Kindly change your way of working. If a problem is to be solved, the solution doesn't lie in violent agitations or shouting slogans. Even strikes and sit-in protests will not help you to achieve what you want. You should adopt a nonviolent lifestyle. Organize training camps even for workers and labourers." They did agree with my proposal. I wish that this process of training should begin in every section of society.
(viii) Reconciliation Between Silence and Speaking
If we have to live in a society and bring about a change in it, we will have to speak as well as observe silence. Two children were talking. I always listen to the conversation of child-monks.
The first child - Look, our parents are very strange.
The second child - How?
The first child - First of all they said - speak, speak. Now when we have begun to speak, they ask us to keep quiet.
As a matter of fact we have to learn to speak and also learn to observe silence. If we can coordinate between speaking and observing silence, a lot of good work can be done. Sometimes speaking also becomes necessary. It is also not wise to
25 www.jainelibrary.org