________________
POSITIVE NON-VIOLENCE: PUNYA
AND DHARMA
The auspicious activities of mercy, charity, kindness, compassion, service, benevolence, etc., are positive non-violence in practice. Their volitional modes reduce passions, which indicates merit or punya. As is clearly indicated by the following characteristics of dharma, it generates positive qualities or virtues in the soul and purifies it - Cattāri dhammadārā – khanti, muttī, ajjave, maddave |
• Sthānānga, 4/4. That is, - there are four doors of dharma - forbearance, contentment, simplicity and mildness. Dhammo mangalamukkitthar, ahiṁsā sañjamo tavo |
- Daśavaikālika, 1/1. That is, – Dharma, comprising non-violence, restraint and penance, is the best of benedictions.
Dhammo dayāvisuddho I
- Bodhapāhuda, 25.
That is, - The dharma based on mercy is the pure dharma.
Jīvānam rakkhanaṁ dhammo !
- Kārtikeyānuprekṣā, 478. That is, - To protect the living beings is dharma or sacred duty.
118
Positive Non-Violence
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org