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This kind of comprehensive concept of Ahimsa is unknown in the philosophical world. Indeed, Albert Schweitzer, while dealing with Jainism in his book Indian Thought and Its Development said -- "The laying down of the commandment not to kill and not to damage is one of the greatest events in the spiritual history of mankind... So far as we know it is for the first time clearly expressed by Jainism”.
The concept of Ahimsa as developed by Jainism has many significant features. These are
(i) Ahimsa is not to be practised at the physical level only but at mental -one as well. Apart from Jiva or Dravya Ahimsa there is a Bhaava Ahimsa. In another form, it is stated that there should be no Himsa by “Man” (mind), "Vachan”(speech), or "Kaaya”(body). Even hurting feelings is himsa.
(ii) The concept of Ahimsa means that one would not kill, get killing done, or approve any killing.
(iii) Himsa or violence and “Parigraha” or possession are intimately connected. In fact, the biggest cause of Himsa is possession. Thus to achieve Ahimsa, physical possession and the spirit of possession would have to be restricted.
Jainism believes that the first steps of Ahimsa would have to be taken at the individual level. Individuals, though their number may be small, would have to truly and sincerely practise Ahimsa in their daily life. Cruelty and killing of even small creatures brutalises a man. Indeed, one of the ways of preparing good soldiers in the past was to ask them to kill animals so that they got hardened and, in war, were capable of killing man.
AHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE Jain Education International
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