SIGNIFICANCE OF JAIN PHILOSOPHY FOR PRESERVING LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT

Authors

  • Vincent Sekhar Institute of Dialogue with Cultures and Religions (IOCR), Aikya Alayam, Chennai

Keywords:

Jainism

Abstract

A few years ago, a question was put to a few Jain scholars across the country: what sort of society does Jainism want to project? The answer was more or less unanimous: a non-violent society! They went on to add that their religion preached ahimsa, non-violence, more than any other thing and non-violence was the need of the hour to protect life and environment. A proper understanding of the principle of ahimsa and its honest practice by humans can immensely ameliorate the health of environment. The eco-spirituality and ecosophy of Jainism ultimately consist in upholding this principle and realizing it in life. Ahimsa, for Jains, is not just a social virtue and a religious rule; it is the very criterion and norm of spirituality and religiosity.

Author Biography

Vincent Sekhar, Institute of Dialogue with Cultures and Religions (IOCR), Aikya Alayam, Chennai

Dr, Vincent Sekhar, S.J., a specialist in Jainism, works at the Institute of Dialogue with Cultures and Religions (IOCR), Aikya Alayam, Chennai.

References

Helmuth von Glasenapp: lainism - An Indian Religion of Salvation. Delhi; Motilal Banarsidass, 1999 and laina Philosophy and Religion. an English translation of Jaina Darsana of Muni Shri Nyayavijayaji by Nagin J. Shah, jointly published by Motilal Banarsidass and Bhogilal Lehar Chand Institute of Indology, Delhi: Paperback Edition, 2000.

D. N. Bhargava: Jaina Ethics, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1968, pp. 160-163. 20The Hindu, February 15, 2000, p. 21.

Acarya Kundakunda, "Jain Concept of Person -.A Textual Study of Samayasara of Acarya Kundakunda" in Jain Joumal, Jan. 1991, Vol. 25, No.3, Jain Bhavan Publication, Calcutta).

T. G. Kalghadgi: Jainism, Dr. Radhakrishnan Institute for Advanced Study in Philosophy, University of Madras, 1978, pp. 54-55

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Published

2001-03-31

How to Cite

Sekhar, V. (2001). SIGNIFICANCE OF JAIN PHILOSOPHY FOR PRESERVING LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT. Journal of Dharma, 26(1), 47–59. Retrieved from https://dvkjournals.in/index.php/jd/article/view/639