Dr. Ashok Bapna
Convergence of Values - Spiritual, Political & Economic
R.L. Bajpai
Shri R.L.Vajpai presented the paper titled “Economics of Non-Violence - From Perception, Preaching to Practice”.
According to Shri Vajpai economics is the science of production, distribution and consumption of goods. Non-violence is the policy of rejecting violent means. There are a number of factors that are responsible for violence-environment, action, genetic constitution, tension, and depression. Broad Indian philosophy has come to identify non-violence as attributes of morality and ethics.
The evolution of economics has now come to be identified with materialism and consumerism. In the process, the moral and ethical aspects are merely concerns of convenience and no more paramount dictum. This is universally true with all the three branches of economics, viz. production, distribution and consumption. Heights attained in materialism and consumerism are reckoned as the 'state of development' and, by and large, all developmental and non-developmental economic activities are directed at reaching the peak of material development. In this stride, first casualty is ethics, morality and non-violence.
Wealth is no more accessible by 'all'; instead the distortion created by its acquisition and hoarding has created wide economic disparities and disturbances, both within the country and across the globe. An obvious repercussion is the widening gulf between the rich and the poor.
Equally natural outcome of this scene is failure to tackle poverty and increasing incidence of crimes, driven by economic considerations. Modern technological advancements, are aiding in abetment and fast multiplication of crimes. Wealth has become an 'end' to be achieved, whereas conceptually it is a 'means' to attain several ends.
Basic philosophy of Jain religion is Aparigraha (i.e. non-accummulation and non-possessiveness), besides non-violence in everyday practical life. This alone if rightly pursued and practised enriches moral and ethical aspects of acquiring wealth and truly practising non-violence.