Page Text
________________
JAINA ETHICS
231
where there is a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence--_"8
Nonviolence is not to be considered as merely a negative concept expressing the commandment of non-injury. It has a positive content. “It implies the presence of cultivated and noble sentiments, like kindliness and compassion for all living creatures. The Buddha and Jesus were embodiments of compassion. Somadeva mentions i, maitri, ii. pramoda, iii. kārunya and iv. mādhyasthya as qualities to be cultivated for the practice of ahimsa. 10
We may also note that ahimsa is kindness to others not merely for the sake of doing good to others and for the altruistic purpose, but for the sake of oneself, to save one's self. If we give pain to any one we lower ourselves. In the Satrakrtanga, it has been mentioned that one who causes injury to others increases the enemies of his own soul.11 Gandhiji said that the essence of nonviolence is love; 'I believe in loving my enemies'.12
The social impact of Jaina ethics in its expression in the anuvrata movement is important for understanding the philosophical as well as the practical side of Jaina ethics. Jainas have worked out elaborate schematic presentations of the violations of the vratas and their moral and social consequenses. Suffice it to say practice of forgery, blackmarketing and overloading of animals out of greed. We should not accept stolen articles, we should not acquire property in a country hostile to us, nor should we read sex literature and see sex films. The schematic order of aticaras and the anuvrata movement have not much relevance for our discussion of the psychological and metaphysical implications of Jaina ethics. We may point out that the Jaina Acaryas saw to it that the schematic presentation is rooted in the practice of morality in every day life and has relevance to the social conditions of the times. The presentation is done in the background of the social conditions, it has cvolved. Therefore, the schematic presentation and the anuvrata movement are relevant to and important in the present day society.
III
We shall now consider the metaphysical implications of Jaina ethical problems. It is worth understanding the basic concept like a) the nature of Jaina outlook, b) the concepts of right and
| SR No. | 002008 |
| Book Title | Studies in Jainism |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | M P Marathe, Meena A Kelkar, P P Gokhle |
| Publisher | Indian Philosophical Quarterly Publication Puna |
| Publication Year | 1984 |
| Total Pages | 284 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Philosophy, & Religion |
| File Size | 16 MB |