Peace Religious Harmony and Solution of World Problems from Jaina Prespective

SR No.: 001657
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 70
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Social
File Size: 4 MB

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torture and love life and fear death, remember that you are like unto them, so do not kill nor cause slaughter.20 In Isopanişadit is declared "For a man who realises this truth, all beings need, become the self; when one thus sees unity, what delusion and what sorrow can one have." This idea of the Isopanişad (6 & 7) is echoed thus, in the Gitā: "The man whose self has been integrated by yogasees the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self : he sees the same everywhere." Sarvatra samadarsinah. "One who sees, by analogy with oneself, the same everywhere, whether it is pleasure or pain, is the best yogi, Ātm'aupamyena samam paśyati. (Gītā, 5.29,32) Our classical commentators have rightly brought out its implication. By analogy with oneself (ātmaupamya) when one realizes that what is good or bad for oneself must be so for others, one would always do only what is good for others. He would be engaged in the welfare of all beings (Sarvabhūtahita), hating none, and with friendliness and compassion for
all.
Non-violence is nothing but to treat all living being as equal. The concept of equality is the core of the theory of non-violence. The observance of non-violence is to honour each and every form of life. According to Jaina point of view, all the beings have equal right to lead a peaceful life. Though violence is unavoidable yet it can not be the directive principle of our living, because it goes against the judgements of our faculty of reasoning. If I think that nobody has any right to take my life on the same ground, I have also no right to take another's life. The principle, 'live on others' or 'living by killing'is self-contradictory. The principle of equality propounds that every one has the right to live. The directive principle of living is not 'Living on others'or 'Living by killing' but 'Living with others', or Live for others (Parasparopagrahojivānām).21 Though in our worldly life complete non-violence is not possible yet our motto should be 'Lesser violence is better Living'. It is not the struggle but co-operation is the law of life. I need other's co-operation for my very existence and so I should also co-operate in other's living.
The meaning of Non-violence
The term non-violence (Ahimsā) has various connotations. Generally it means not to kill, slain or hurt any living being. Ahiṁsā means abstention or refraining from hiṁsā, Hiṁsā means violence, injury,