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CHAPTER V.
AHIMSA. Ahimsa is a famous cult of the Jains. I find that the Buddhist literature also speaks highly of Ahimsa. If minutely considered it is not in any way different from what the Jains say. As regards flesheating some statements in Buddhist literature appear doubtful. We have to consider whether they are the real sayings of the Buddha or not.
We give below some quotations about Ahimsa from the Buddhist books :---
(1) Majjhim nikaya sallekha suttam atthaman :
“पाणातिपातिस्स पुरिस पुग्गलस्स पाणातिपातवेरमणीहेति परिनिव्वानाय."
“ Panâtipà tissa purisa puggalassa pânâti pata veramani hoti parinivvå na ya.”
“He who is addicted to injure the vitalities of living beings, should give up injury--this is for his liberation."
(2) M. N. Samma ditthi suttam navama, “पाणातिपातो अकुसलं पाणातिपातवेरमणीकुसलं."
“ Pânâ it pâto (kusalam paņâti påte-verama ni kusalam."
“ It is harmful to deprive one of vitalities; while it is useful to be aloof from injury.”
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