Jainism The Cosmic Vision

SR No.: 006587
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: UK Mahavir Foundation London
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 276
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 60

Towards A Truly Global Society
The Jain religion prescribes four things to attain superior status of being and to be full of vitality - charity, chastity, penance and love.
"माणुस्सं खु सु दुल्लह ।”
An ancient rule says, 'Oh man! How difficult it is to be human!' Man is not born, he is to be awakened from within. After the birth of a child, the next birth is that of man.
The anti-apartheid American leader Martin Luther King dreamt of the day when man is known not by the colour of his skin, but by the strength of his character. To quote him verbatim, 'Not by the colour of the skin, but by the content of his character. The Jain religion gives no cognisance to the colour or the creed of man.
" न वि मुंडिएण समणो न ओंकरेण बभणो । न मुणि रण्णवासेणं, कुसरीयेण ण तावसो ।।"
Man is known not by the accident of his birth, but by his actions and character. A man does not become a Brahmin merely by recitation of Omkar, nor does he become a saint by merely residing in the forest. One does not become a Jain sadhu merely by shaving one's head clean. The Jain religion says, one can become a brahmin by the observance of celibacy; one can become a saint by the dint of his knowledge and a Jain Sadhu by practising equality with all. In its Namaskarmantra, it does not salute an individual, but it salutes the Tirthankars - those who have the qualities of a teacher, a Guru.
Bhagwan Mahavira says, 'You will get salvation not by taking refuge or shelter under me, but by taking refuge under the religion. Today the world is full of pollution. The destruction of trees on a massive scale has led the world to
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