Dharmik Sahishnuta Aur Jain Dharm

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Dharmik Sahishnuta aur Jain Dharm" by Sagarmal Jain:

This text, "Religious Tolerance and Jainism," by Sagarmal Jain, argues for the critical necessity of religious tolerance in today's world, highlighting how religious intolerance has been a major cause of conflict and destruction throughout history. The author contends that the true essence of religion is to connect humanity and the divine, to bring peace and happiness. However, instead of fostering unity, religious fanaticism and the pursuit of narrow self-interests have led to division, hatred, and violence.

The Core Problem: Religious Intolerance and Its Roots

• Modern Dilemma: The author begins by lamenting that despite scientific and technological progress, humanity faces the threat of self-destruction due to a persistent tendency towards intolerance, class hatred, and ideological conflict. These divisions are fueled by religion, politics, nationalism, and communalism.
• Perversion of Religion: The word "religion" (from "religare") implies connection, but religious dogma and fanaticism have created barriers between people, turning religion into a source of conflict rather than unity. Historical wars and atrocities are attributed to religious intolerance.
• Self-Interest Over Spirituality: The text emphasizes that the violence and hatred attributed to religion are not the fault of religion itself but of individuals who use religion as a tool for their selfish agendas. They exploit people's emotions for their own gain, twisting the noble teachings of faith.
• Ignorance of True Religion: A significant problem is that ordinary people are often unaware of the true essence of religion, mistaking rituals and ceremonies for genuine faith. Religious leaders have sometimes kept the masses ignorant of the core principles, leading to a focus on external practices.

The Path to True Religion and Tolerance

• Humanity as the Foundation: The text strongly asserts that humanity is the first step towards religiosity. Without developing human qualities like compassion, empathy, and self-control, one cannot truly be religious. True religion begins with being a good human being.
• Essence of Religion: Equanimity (Samata): Drawing from Jain scriptures like the Bhagvati Sutra and Acharya Angasutra, the author highlights that the essence of religion lies in equanimity or the state of equanimity (samata-samabhav). The goal of all religious practices is to overcome negative emotions like anger, ego, greed, and aversion.
• Beyond Rituals and Factions: The text criticizes the tendency to get caught up in the external aspects of religion, such as rituals, customs, and sectarian differences. It calls for a focus on the universal core values that unite all religions.
• The Danger of Attachment to Form: The author points out that attachment to specific practices, beliefs, or forms of worship (like idol worship or its negation) can become a cause of intolerance. These external variations, though arising from differing times, places, and individual preferences, should not lead to conflict.
• The Jain Perspective on Diversity of Practices: Jainism acknowledges that different paths and practices are natural due to variations in time, place, and individual inclination, citing the example of physicians prescribing different medicines for the same ailment based on the patient. These differences should not be a basis for intolerance.

Jainism's Foundation for Tolerance: Anekantavada

• Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism): The core philosophical principle of Jainism, Anekantavada, is presented as the primary basis for religious tolerance. This doctrine states that reality is multifaceted and can be perceived from multiple viewpoints.
• Relative Truth: Knowledge and statements are always relative to a specific perspective or context. To declare one's own perspective as the absolute truth and negate all others is a philosophical error (mithyatva) and a root cause of intolerance.
• Acceptance of Multiple Viewpoints: Just as different photographs of a tree taken from various angles, though different, all contribute to understanding the tree, different religious perspectives, though seemingly contradictory, can offer partial truths about the ultimate reality. The author uses the analogy of different people using different names for the same object to illustrate this point.
• Focus on Essential Virtues: Jainism emphasizes that liberation (moksha) is not dependent on any particular religious affiliation or outward form but on the renunciation of passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed. The focus should be on the inner transformation rather than external labels.
• The Namaskara Mantra: The universal Namaskara Mantra (Namo Arihantanam, Namo Siddhanam, Namo Ayariyanam, Namo Uvajjhayanam, Namo Loe Savva Sahunam) is presented as a prime example of Jain tolerance. It venerates qualities and roles rather than specific individuals, making it universally acceptable across all sects.

Avoiding Religious Intolerance: Practical Steps

• Primacy of Reason and Wisdom: The text stresses that faith (shraddha) must be guided by reason and wisdom (prajna). Blind faith leads to superstition and conflict. Jainism advocates for the integration of right knowledge (samyak-gyan) with right faith (samyak-darshan).
• Critique of Dogmatism: The author criticizes those who claim sole ownership of truth and refuse to acknowledge the validity of other viewpoints. The practice of condemning others as atheists, heretics, or infidels is a major source of religious conflict.
• Respect for Other Traditions: The text highlights the historical Jain practice of respecting and studying the teachings of other traditions, as seen in the Rishi Bhashita, which includes the teachings of various non-Jain sages. The respect shown by Jain Acharyas like Haribhadra and Hemachandra towards other religious and philosophical systems is also emphasized.
• Focus on Universal Principles: The author advocates for focusing on universal ethical principles that are common to all religions, such as non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and charity, rather than getting entangled in minor differences.
• The Path of Samata (Equanimity): Ultimately, the text concludes that the path to religious tolerance and harmony lies in cultivating equanimity, compassion, and understanding, as advocated by Jain teachings. By embracing Anekantavada and the spirit of tolerance, humanity can overcome religious strife and move towards peaceful coexistence and spiritual well-being.

In essence, "Dharmik Sahishnuta aur Jain Dharm" is a powerful call for a shift from dogmatic adherence to the universal principles of compassion, wisdom, and non-absolutism, positioning Jainism as a tradition that intrinsically champions religious tolerance.