Five Great Vows of Jainism and their effects on Society

Five Great Vows of Jainism

The teachings of Jainism are not only limited to knowing about one's innerself, empowering one's soul and attaining salvation. When one starts practicing these teachings the indirect effect  is seen in the society thus making the world a better and peaceful place to live in which everybody dreams about but always depend on others to make it happen.

Let us go through the five great walls of Jainism and see how they indirectly make the world peaceful.

-> The first vow - Ahimsa - Non Violence
~ Meaning - Not killing/harming someone physically/mentally
Not telling someone to kill/harm someone physically/mentally
Not wishing that someone should be killed/harmed physically/mentally
~ The effect seen in society - Reduction in Terrorism, Preservation of wildlife and endangered species, disappearance of casteism, racism, etc

-> The second vow - Satya - Truth
~Meaning - Speaking the truth always under any circumstances. If speaking the truth is harmful for others, then staying silent.
~The effect seen in society - reduction in corruption.

-> The third vow - Asteya/Achourya - Non-stealing
~Meaning - Not taking/possessing/using anything without the permission of its owner.
~The effect seen in society - Reduction in court cases, Honesty will prevail.

-> The fourth vow - Brahmacharya - celibacy/chastity
~Meaning - Limiting/controlling/avoiding sensual pleasures and desires.
~The effect seen in society - reduction in rape cases, reduction in extra marital affairs, reduction in sexually transmitted diseases, effective population control

-> The fifth vow - Aparigrah - Limitation of possession/non attachment
~Meaning - not to save/accumulate/possess/collect things like clothes, jewellery, land, money, food, accessories, etc excessively and only to make use of them to suffice one's needs.
~The effects seen in society - redistribution of wealth, reduction in poverty, reduction in malnutrition, no black money, no inflation.

Even if one percent of this teaching is inculcated by each and everyone then the world will definitely be a better peaceful and a happy place to live in.

Healthy discussions are welcome