Jainism played invaluable role in building India's identity: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said Jainism has played an invaluable role in building India's identity, asserting that its values offer an answer to the global challenges of terrorism, war and environmental protection.

Addressing an event to mark the 'Navkar Mahamantra Divas', Modi said his government is committed to preserving the heritage and teachings of the ancient religion and noted that its influence, including idols of tirthankaras, is visible on Parliament's building.

Citing anekantavada, a core doctrine of Jainism that promotes non-absolutism and recognises that ultimate truth can be perceived differently, he said the world needs it a lot as it appreciates different perspectives.

He said, Jainism recognises the interdependence of life and that is why it bars violence in even the slightest form. This carries the best lesson for peace, harmony and environmental protection, Modi said.

The Jain literature is the backbone of India's spiritual grandeur, Modi said, adding that his government has been taking numerous steps to preserve it, including a recent scheme to digitise its ancient texts and declaring Pali and Prakrit classical languages.

Modi asked people to take nine pledges, including saving water, planting a tree in one's mother's memory, promoting cleanliness, going vocal for local, travelling within the country, adopting natural farming, following a healthy lifestyle by consuming more millets and cutting down on edible oil usage by 10 per cent, helping the poor and incorporating sports and yoga.

He asked the audience to take the message of unity across the country and embrace anyone who chants "Bharat mata ki jai".

Lauding the Jain philosophy, Modi noted that climate change is today's biggest crisis and its solution is a sustainable lifestyle, which the Jain community has practised for centuries.

It aligns perfectly with India's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), he added.

"One bows to the 108 divine qualities and remembers the welfare of humanity when reciting the Navkar Mantra," Modi said.

The mantra reminds us that knowledge and action are the true directions of life, he added.

Underlining that the philosophy of the Navkar Mantra aligns with the vision of a developed India, the prime minister said a prosperous India signifies both progress and heritage, a nation that will neither stop nor falter, will reach new heights and yet remain rooted in its traditions.

Modi noted the return of ancient idols, including those of the tirthankaras, from abroad. He said that over 20 such idols have been brought back to India in recent years.

He expressed concern over the gradual disappearance of many significant texts and said the launch of the "Gyan Bharatam Mission", announced in this year's budget, will help tackle it.

Navkar Mahamantra Divas is a celebration of spiritual harmony and ethical consciousness that seeks to unite people through the collective chanting of the mantra, an official statement noted.

Rooted in the principles of non-violence, humility, and spiritual elevation, the mantra pays homage to the virtues of enlightened beings and inspires inner transformation, it added.