It is a tragic misunderstanding to think that Jainism is an offshoot of Hinduism. The reference about Rsabha Deva, the first Tirthanker is found in the Vedas. Jainism and Buddhism are two streams of rebellion thought against the Vedic ritualism involving animal sacrifice and the Varnasharam and cast system based on birth. The emphasis on ethical conduct specially non-violence and non-profession are precious gift of the Jainism to the whole world. ‘Anekanta’ is the application of Ahimsa in the intellectual field while’s ‘syadvada’ is a form of non-violence in speech expensive, time consuming and depending upon black money.
Jainism can legitimately be called as a “world religion” because of its adherence to non-violence in thought, world and deed without any reservation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ramjee Singh
Ramjee Singh, Professors Ramjee Singh, as Gandhian author and activist needs no introduction in India. His earlier books on Gandhism Relevance of Gandhian Thought, Gandhi and the Modern World, Gandhi and the 21st Century and the Gandhian Vision and some others have been well acclaimed. He has served many institutions with distinction. He has been a former Director of Gandhian Institute of Studies (Varanasi), former Secretary & President of Indian Society of Gandhian Studies, former Vice-Chancellor of Jain Viswa-Bharati Institute (Ladnun) and many national and international academic bodies. He has taught philosophy and Gandhian thought for 50 years and he is still an Emeritus Fellow of the U.G.C. He is a prolific writer and he has authored about 40 books in English and Hindi. At present, he is secretary of Afro-Asian Philosophical association. As a social activist, he had joined Quit India Movement in 1942, suffered imprisonment for 20 months opposing certainment of civil and political rights in India during 1975-1977, and he was elected a member of the House of the People in India in 1977. works for communal harmony and Youth Peace Movement are his best fads. He has traveled all over the world carrying the message of the Mahatma and has represented World Congress of Philosophy (Brigoton, 1985, Moscow, 1993) and Parliament of World's Religions (Chicago, 1993), Capetown, Africa, 1999) and World Congress of Philanthropy (Toronto, 1989). He has worked with Acharya Vinoba Bhave and Jaya Prakash Narayan as a grass-root worker in Bhoodan-Gramdan Movement, Acharya-Kula and Santi-Sena. His permanent address is: Bhikhanpur, Bhagalpur 812001 (Bihar) Tel. No. (0641) 2420305.
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