The aim of all religion is the
spiritual and moral uplift of man . Spiritual uplift may be individual in
pursuit as well as achievement, but moral uplift implies one's conduct and behaviour in relations with other beings, human and animal.
Man is a social being, and hardly any of his actions, by thought . Word or
deed, is without its direct or indirect impact on the society he is a member of . In fact, even spiritual
development is well nigh impossible without the cultivation of wholesome and
appropriate moral values . Religion in practice is, therefore, nothing but a
determined and rational effort to lead a pious, virtuous and moral life .
Jainism has been described as an
ethical system par excellence, because it lays the greatest emphasis on
self-discipline and self-control in order to lead a life of peaceful
co-existence, co-operation, co-ordination and co-realisation
. Ahimsa or non-violence in thought ,
word and action, is its keynote, and perfect equanimity its pivot .
In the present book, ‘Life and Legacy of Mahavira-A
Social Study', the learned author, after dealing with the antiquity of the Tirthankara tradition, the life and work of Lord Mahavira, and his
philosophical and ethical doctrines, has discussed in the last chapter, the
significance of Mahavira . This chapter is the core
of the book, and in it, though very briefly, he has tried very ably to evaluate
the social aspects of Lord Mahavira's teachings,
under six apt subheadings-Establishment of Social Equality, Emancipation of
Women, Inculcation of Self-reliance, Emphasis on Non-violence, Insistence on
Tolerance, and Encouragement to Social Welfare, which bespeak for them selves
.
The author, Dr . Vilas Adinath Sangave, is a seasoned scholar not only of Sociology, of
which he is a reputed teacher, but also of Jaina
religion and philosophy . I congratulate
him for this nice piece he has prepared for publication in this year of 2500th
Nirvana Anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the Greatest
Benefactor of Mankind. Shri Rajendra
Kumar Jain, the enthusiastic Secretary of the Veer Nirvana Bharati,
Meerut, also deserves thanks for bringing out this
book for the benefit of the readers. He has the credit of publishing several other
good books in English and Hindi through the Veer Nirvana Bharati
.
Luckraow
2nd October, 1975 .