From October 1987 Issue:
by Nimisha Parekh
Jainism is an eternal religion. It has no beginning. From time to time, TEERTHANKARs, who are born as human beings and who attain salvation in their lifetime, revitalize and preach the principles of Jainism. According to Jainism, there have been an innumerable series of 24 TEERTHANKARs from time immemorial. Bhagwaan Mahaveer was the last TEERTHANKAR of the present era.
In this article, I will present the principles of the Jain philosophy as practiced and preached by Bhagwaan Mahaveer. I will also mention the contributions of Jainism to Indian culture. The principles of Jainism include nonviolence (AHIMSA), non-possessiveness (APARIGRAH), the doctrine of multiplicity of viewpoints (ANEKAANTAVAAD), and, equality and independence of each individual soul.
The most important contribution of Bhagwaan Mahaveer and Jainism to our Indian culture is the teaching and practice of nonviolence (AHIMSA). Other religions too preach nonviolence to varying degrees but none to the extent that Jains have been practicing it. One would ask the question, what is "nonviolence" and why should we practice it?
The commonly understood meaning of nonviolence is not to kill or injure others. But it has a deeper and subtler meaning as taught by Bhagwaan Mahaveer and Jainism. There are two types of violence in the world: (a) physical violence and (b) mental violence. Physical violence is easily understood as killing or injuring living beings including one's own self. Some people believe in not killing human beings but they do not mind killing animals and other living beings. This is gross violence. Mental violence is the desire or mental preparation to commit such violence. Sometimes we may not kill a living being but we may speak or think of killing it. This is mental violence. Other aspects of mental violence are telling lies, anger, deception, taking more than one's fair share. Such thoughts and actions hurt others' feelings. Moreover, such violence invariably hurts the feelings of the person committing violence. In many instances, it also affects our physical and mental health. It is caused by passions (KASHAAYAs) such as attachment and aversion - likes and dislikes. Thus practice of nonviolence entails giving up untruth, anger, deception, taking more than one's fair share, etc.
This philosophy of nonviolence has contributed immensely to our culture. It has reduced the slaughter of cows, fish and other living beings for food. It has helped us save our natural resources. (Using natural resources involves violence of countless living beings. Thus we can avoid some violence by minimizing waste and conserving natural resources.) A great leader of our time, Mahatma Gandhi, succeeded in the struggle of independence for India by following this principle of nonviolence. Practicing nonviolence makes our lives happier, and helps us achieve higher goals in our lives.
Another significant contribution of Bhagwaan Mahaveer to our Indian culture is the principle of non-possessiveness (APARIGRAH). It means renunciation of worldly possessions in thought, speech and action, in pursuit of higher spiritual goals. In practice, for householders like us, it essentially emphasizes limiting our wants for material possessions. More material wealth and possessions do not make us happy. All they can provide is more comforts which, in turn, are likely to lead us to the path of committing some undesirable acts. Worldly wealth creates attachments which result in greed, jealousy, selfishness, ego and violence.
Many great Jain teachers followed these principles and following these teachers were several kings, wealthy officials, and princes who led very simple lives. They behaved as custodians of their wealth and power, which they spent on education, food, medicine, and shelter for the masses. Thus a very important concept of social welfare and economic stability was born out of the principle of non-possessiveness.
The third most significant contribution of Jainism and Bhagwaan Mahaveer to the world is the doctrine of ANEKAANTAVAAD. It is the principle of multiplicity of viewpoints based on logic. It means that the true nature of things can be learned by using logical viewpoints - from different aspects. In other words, every substance and situation should be looked at from several points of view in order to realize the truth. To give a simple example, a man is a father from his children's point of view, a son from his parents' point of view, and a husband from his wife's point of view at the same time, and all these statements are true individually.
This doctrine of multiplicity of viewpoints is very deep, subtle and quite difficult to understand without studying it properly. But it teaches us to be tolerant of other's viewpoints and opposing opinions. That is what we try to achieve in modern democracy. This doctrine produces an atmosphere of harmony in society by making people understand the opinions of their opponents. As a result, whenever a Jain ruler was in power, there was no incidence of tyranny on the followers of other religions. The roots of modern democracy came out of this Jain principle of ANEKAANTAVAAD long before the Magna Carta. Therefore this principle can be a great instrument for peaceful coexistence and unity in the world.
In the social sphere, Jainism does not make any distinction of caste, color and creed, though these ideas are prevalent in our society to a certain extent. Jainism preaches that salvation is the birth right of every human being and is assured if one follows the prescribed rules of conduct. It says that family and caste of birth do not matter. Social status depends on merit, conduct and achievement. For example, Harikeshbala who was born an untouchable, became a nun and achieved the highest virtues. Moreover, according to Jainism, all souls are alike. This means that Jainism emphasizes equality of not only human beings but also of all living beings. By following these principles of nonviolence, non-possessiveness, multiplicity of viewpoints, and, equality and independence of all souls, we will be able to achieve happiness and peace of mind in our present lives, and, eventually, we will be able to attain salvation - the state of supreme peace and happiness.