Pillars of Wisdom
Prof (Dr) Sohan Raj Tater
We are not living in isolated compartments. The world has become one family. In a society plagued with domestic and communal violence, we need to globalise wisdom. Though we have advanced technologically, we have cared very little for the emotional and spiritual needs of people. A sense of belongingness with the whole world-rising above the narrow considerations of colour, culture or back ground, is the need of the hour. We need to look back and learn from the mistakes of the past, we need to understand what is lacking in society and how we can nurture the human values without which this earth cannot be sustained.
Once the spinning impact of west becomes weak, there is bound to be a more helpful and harmonious process of mutual give and take. And that will be for the benefit of all. But for this to happen, India will have to intervene with this powerful spiritual influence and this characteristic integral philosophy and way of life. That alone will help resolve the conflicts of the present situation and reconcile the seeming contradictions in a harmonious and holistic vision. That is the role which India is declined to play in the new millennium.
Mere listening to spiritual discourses is not enough. One should always sit back and reflect on what had been said to actually benefit from them. It is said, “one hour of reflection is equal to seventy years of pious worship.” It is only when we introspect about good things that we try to imbibe them in out life. Listening to the best of things without reflecting back on them has only superficial affects. By reflection, one can realise the depth of the issue and its meaning.
Jainism says that the dharma is made up of “Non-violence, Self control and austerity.” Positive emotions bring pleasure and negative emotions make life miserable. Non-violence is the heart of Jainism. All worldly problems can be solved by keeping non-violence in center. We can protect environment (i,e. earth, water, fire, air, vegetables and small creatures) by reducing our day to day requirement by reducing our greed. We should meet on injustice not with the force but with forbearance, Violence begets violence, amity leads to amity. There is nothing in the world or even out of it that can be called good except the principle of non-violence of all living beings. The root course of violence is material goods. The virtue of non-violence and Aparigraha are capable of establishing universal peace. Anand (bliss) is experienced by the sage who is free from all desires. Gita tells us that the actions should be performed after brushing aside all attachment and the desire for the fruit. The highest aim of human life is to attain eternal bliss. All the conduct should be such as would bring us the maximum of happiness and remove miseries from our lives.
(The writer is former Vice Chancellor of Singhania University)
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