World Problems And Jain Ethics

Author(s): Beni Prasad
Publisher: Beni Prasad

Page 15

.13.
duties or vice versa. Both hang together. They are the counterpart of each other. If every one insisted on his rights for himself but neglected his duties towards others, there would soon be no rights left for any one. This is the basic lesson in that art of living together which everyone has to master afresh
It need scarcely be pointed out that respect for the rights of others is also an application of the principle of non-voilence.
IV CONTINENCE ( nai). Respect for rights and regard to duties are things that cannot be imposed for any length of time from above. Indeed, the enforcement of morality is contradiction in terms. It is possible, of course, to promote morality indirectly by organising conditions favourable to its observance. We have just seen that non-violence can be practised on a large scale only in an environment no longer permeated by force. But the inner core of morality is something beyond external control. The attitude has to grow from within. Social life is founded, in ultimate analysis, in self-control. That is the implication of the fourth Anuvrata, 71, in the wider
sense.
Character. Human nature is neither good nor bad. It is plastic, that is, raw material for character, Growth consists in achievement of harmony and balance as