JAINA Convention 2007
Federation of Jain Associations In North America
Peace Through Dialogue
 Lokesh Muni Munishree Lokprakash Lokesh renounced the world and received Diksha from Late Acharya Shri Tulsi in 1983 at the age of 22. He has studied many Holy Scriptures in Jainism, Buddhism and Vedanta in depth. Muniji is master of meditation, Yoga and peace education. His mission in life is to spread the message of Ahimsa (Non-violence), peace and harmony. He has written over twelve books consisting of both poems and essays. His literatur has been translated in several languages including English, Gujai Tamil, Bangla, and German. |
Famous philosopher cum thinker C.D.M. Judd writes, 'Unity in diversity is the unique contribution of Indian culture and I consider it to be the biggest gift to the mankind'.
Max Mueller, the 19th century luminary German philosopher, known for his love and devotion for Indian philosophy one said, 'If I ask myself the question as to which religious literature have given us the Europeans bred on Greek, Roman and Jew thought processes, the formula to make us spiritually enriched and more internationally oriented or briefly more humane, then without any hesitation, my finger will point to Jain literature'.
Similarly unique philosopher cum thinker and devotee of international humanitarianism of 20th century Romyarola writes, 'If there is a place on this earth where from the earliest days of human civilization, all the dreams of human beings found a base and prospered, then that place is India'.
There is no doubt that research on diversity of existence and viewpoints is the pinnacle of non-violence (ahinsa). As soon as the world recognizes this and owns it, it will be able to start achieving international peace soonest.
Reconciliation, co-existence and independence are all synonyms of the same basic element. Jains call this basic element non-violence at physical level and Anekanta (multiplicity of viewpoints) at the mental level. To dissuade commoners from acts of violence Jain philosophy preached Non-Violence while for dissuading thinkers and philosophers from violence, it established the doctrine of Anekanta. The major benefit of Anekanta doctrine is that it protects an individual from insistence on bad / ill deeds and thoughts. This philosophy establishes the intellectual non-violence. Anekanta tries to give birth to reconciliation amongst many philosophies existing in India at any time as well as bring harmony and eliminate bitterness in thought processes of the philosophers thereby keeping their mental processes free from flaws and hatred towards others.
This is why the doctrine of Anekanta was so dear to the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi. He writes that earlier he used to think himself as right and others as ignorant and opponents. Now I have started loving my opponents because I have now started looking at myself from the viewpoint of my opponents. My Anekanta is the outcome of the principles of nonviolence and truth.
Basis of co-existence, living together as citizens of a nation and the world and doctrine of Panchsheel is the doctrine of Anekanta and it can also be the basis of the world peace. By following Anekanta doctrine, we can free the world from terrorism, wars and violence.
During my personal meeting with the president of Pakistan General Musharraf on April 1 7th 2004 at The President's House in New Delhi, I asked him the simple question 'After so many wars between India and Pakistan directly or indirectly, what did each country achieve?' Looking for a moment in my eyes, he said 'Muniji no body achieves anything from fighting or wars'. With this brief answer he kept quiet. Supporting his views I said, 'Sir you are right that nobody achieves anything from fighting. We can achieve something in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill towards each other.' In a war the one who looses is the immediate looser but the winner also looses simultaneously. I further said that the enemies of both Pakistan and India are not different but one and the same. We can jointly eliminate this common enemy and then achieve peace and progress. Now the Pakistan president became serious and was mulling on my suggestion of common enemies for some moments. Observing his inquisitive eyes, I further said 'Common enemies of India and Pakistan are poverty, illiteracy, scarcity and lack of medical care for their citizens'. Both the countries can fight and eliminate these common enemies only when there is peace in our countries and vicinity. If the two countries divert their expenditure on arms race to eliminate these enemies, then people of both the countries can live in peace and prosperity.
There can be differences of opinion between members of a family. Similarly it is but natural to have differences between the two countries. Not only this but in democracy such differences are considered as the bases of progress. But when the differences get extended to direness in our mental processes and thinking, then the result is serious problems. The simple and best way to eliminate these differences in the thought processes is adopting the doctrine of Anekanta. One can find solutions to all controversial issues through the medium of dialogue and appreciating other's viewpoints.