Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

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protection to the tormented inspired the boar. The lion wanted to kill and the boar wanted to save the sage'.
In fact, attitude or intention" is the governing factor of himsā and ahimsa irrespective of whether a being is killed or not.
A disciplined person is alert and cautious every moment that he does not kill or harm a being. In spite of this he inadvertently kills some micro-beings during his routine activities of movement, speech, etc. But this cannot be called himsā just because it entails killing of beings. On the other hand, a person, under the influence of anger or fondness, tries to kill some being and fails to do so; even then this act will be called himsā.
KILLING OTHERS OR THE SELF
A being in whose mind passions have sprouted has committed suicide irrespective of the fact that he could or could not kill or harm others. Suicide does not only mean to kill oneself, it also means killing one's self. Conventionally the end of one's life naturally or through efforts of someone else is called death and that through one's own efforts is called suicide. But the word suicide also has other meanings. When attachment, aversion, and passions destroy the inherent natural qualities of soul, etc. it is also called suicide (atma-ghāta or killing of the soul).
COMPASSION: OTHERS AND SELF
When a person expresses a feeling of compassion for some other being, is it just kindness for others? No, along with kindness for others it is also kindness for the self. When a person is compassionate towards another being and wants to benefit another being, he does accomplish being compassionate towards him-self and doing his own benefit irrespective of the other being having been saved and benefited or not. This is because remaining free of passions for that specific period he has secured and enhanced the virtues of the self.
INSTANCES OF DISTINGUISHING HIṀSĀ AND AHIṀSĀ
The aforesaid discussion confirms that the distinguishing factor between himsā and ahimsa are not the actions of a person but his
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