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THE JUDGE'S GUN
A gun is a symbol for destruction as well as a principle means of violence. In Jainism, killing and any other form of violence is prohibited. In this story, Guruji tells about an encounter that he had with an experienced hunter.
O
ne time I was travelling near Bombay and Pune, by foot, and it was evening time. It was a very beautiful place where the water in the lake reflected the blue sky, the trees and clouds perfectly. So we stopped on a small hill, under one of the trees and watched some birds circling around the sky. Just then the moon was coming up and we chanted and meditated for a while.
Since it was getting late, I decided to take a shortcut through the property of a district judge. Although I had not met the judge, we suddenly came upon him and others, with guns, nearby. The judge had raised his gun, preparing to shoot the birds, and instinctively, since it is against my religious vows to kill anything, I walked over and touched the judge's gun, spoiling his aim and preventing him from shooting the birds.
"Why did you do that?" he asked me rather angrily, and I told him why.
Then he asked me what right did I have to come on
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