Book Title: Tulsi Prajna 1995 01
Author(s): Parmeshwar Solanki
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

View full book text
Previous | Next

Page 155
________________ 146 TULSI-PRAJNA original root in an ancient Jaina TEXT. 4. Gandhi's with his immense faith in tolerance and non-violence came to the conclusions that all religions are true but all have some error in them, and if there are different doctrines, there must be reasons for it.? 5. The essence of Jainism is the great compassion for all crcatures or Ahimsa. Ulnlike Buddhists, Jains do not regard existence as evil by itself, it is neither impermanent and sorrowful like Buddhists nor permanent and blissful. Suffering is an evil and hence to impose upon others is evil. The practice of Ahimsa calls forth the greatest courage. Gandhi fiecefully carried the war in to the enemy's camp and brought down the arrogence of the mightest empire yet he showod unmistakable love and friendliness towards the Britishers. 6. Besides Ahimsa, Gandbi re-echoed the voice of Lord Mahavira for the equality and emancipation of womenfolk.8 7. Vegetarianism is the foundation of Jainism which preaches non-violence to all living creatures. Gandhi added vigour to the Jaina idea of vegetarianism. “I do feel that spiritual progress does demand at some stage that we should cease to kill our fellow creatures for the satisfaction of our bodily wants".. 8. 25 centuris ago Lord Mahavira was preaching non-possession. Gandhi put forward the doctrine of trusteeship to make the ideal of non-possession practical. He practiced truth with non-violence to demonstrate the virtue of Anekantavada even in socio-political life. 9. Non-violence is the most important principle of Jainism. Gandhi's greatest contribution to Jainism and as a matter of fact to entire Humanity is his thirst for peace. His letter to Chiapg kai shek, his appeal to every Japanese, his formulation of the concept of Civil Defence and his conception of unilateral disarmament in the State of Swaraj are ample prove to make him an apostle of world peace. 10. One of most influential movements which propagates the ideas of non-violence is Anuvrat movement launched in 1949 by Shri Acharya Tulsi, "If our conduct is preameated with the essence of non-violence and non aquisitveness, it will work like a papancea for the present age inflicted with the curse of violence and aquisitiveness."10 Problems of modern times, such as polluted water and air, health deterioration ethnic and religious conflicts, Break of famlies and abuse of children's rights, suiside and mental diseases are caused through violation of these principles. The members of “Anuvrat movement" spare no efforts to make Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164