Jain evam Gandhi Achar Darshan ka Tulnatmak Adhyayan
By Tribhuvan Nath Tripathi
Summary
In a comparative vein, this paper analyses the ethical systems of Jainism and Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting convergences and divergences. The author begins by summarising the Jain emphasis on ahiṃsā (non‑violence), anekāntavāda (non‑absolutism) and aparigraha (non‑possessiveness). He then outlines Gandhi’s reinterpretation of these principles in his personal life and political campaigns. While Gandhi inherited his commitment to non‑violence partly from Jain and Vaiṣṇava milieus, he broadened it into the doctrine of satyāgraha, or truth‑force, which emphasises active resistance against injustice. The paper contrasts the Jain ideal of withdrawal from worldly affairs to minimise harm with Gandhi’s insistence on social engagement to transform oppressive structures. It also compares attitudes toward truth: Jain epistemology regards truth as multifaceted and advocates cautious speech, whereas Gandhi elevated truth to a supreme moral value that justified civil disobedience. The author discusses how both systems view self‑discipline and fasting as means to purify the soul and criticise materialism. Differences in metaphysical outlook are addressed, noting that Jainism is rooted in karma theory and the quest for liberation from rebirth, while Gandhi, though influenced by Hindu ideas, focused on ethical conduct in this life. The article concludes that studying these two traditions together reveals complementary insights: Jainism offers a rigorous framework for personal ethics, and Gandhi demonstrates how similar ideals can inspire collective action for justice.
Conclusion
The comparative study shows that while Jainism and Gandhian ethics share foundations in non‑violence and self‑restraint, they diverge in their social orientation. Jainism leans toward personal liberation through detachment, whereas Gandhi adapted its principles for mass movements and socio‑political reform. Understanding both enhances our appreciation of the versatility of Indian ethical thought.