________________
'those who praise their own faiths and ideologies and blame that of their opponents and thus distort the truth will remain confined to the cycle of birth and death.' Jaina philosophers all the time maintain that all the view points are true in respect of what they have themselves to say, but they are false in so far as they refute totally other's view-points. Here I would like to quote beautiful verses of Haribhadra (8th century A.D.) and Hemchandra (12th century A.D.), which are the best examples of religious tolerance. Haribhadra says : 'I bear no bias towards Lord Mahavira and no disregard to the Kapila and other saints and thinkers, whatsoever is rational and logical ought to be accepted.' Hemchandra says: "I bow all those who have overcome the attachment and hatred, which are the cause of worldly existence, be they Brahma, Visnu, Siva or Jina."
Jaina saints have tried all the times to maintain the harmony in different religious-faiths and they tried to avoid religious conflicts. That is why Jainism has survived through the ages.
The basic problems of present society are mental tensions, violence and the conflicts of ideologies and faiths. Jainism has tried to solve these problems of mankind through the three basic tenets of non-attachment (Aprigraha), non-violence (Ahimsa) and non-absolutism (Anekanta). If mankind observes these three principles, peace and harmony can certainly be established in the world.
Director P.V. Research Institute Varanasi-5.
Kills he anger by forgiveness Pride by humility Attachment by Simplicity And greed by contentment.
Dasavaikalika, Chap. VIII 38
116
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
