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Tattvartha Sutra
Without zeal and detachment, one cannot truly embody the vows of non-violence and others; hence, zeal and detachment are essential prerequisites for those practicing these vows. The seeds of zeal and detachment arise from contemplation on the nature of the world and the body; therefore, the essence of both is imparted here in a meditative form.
All living beings invariably experience suffering. Life is entirely transient, and nothing is permanent; from contemplating the nature of the world, one develops fear and zeal towards the cycle of existence. Similarly, detachment (vairagya) arises from contemplating the unstable, impure, and unreliable nature of the body.
Now, the form of violence is described:
From heedless conduct, the harming of living beings is violence. The previously detailed five vows—starting with non-violence—must be understood correctly and implemented in life; hence, it is necessary to know the proper forms of their opposing faults. Therefore, the chapter introducing the five faults is commenced. The first fault, that of violence, is defined in this sutra.
The definition of violence is completed by identifying its components. First, heedless conduct, meaning actions driven by attachment and aversion, and secondly, the harming of living beings. The first component serves as a cause and...