Positive Non Violence

SR No.: 006917
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kanhaiyalal Lodha, Dalpatsingh Baya
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 344
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 5 MB

Page 249

In Jaina philosophical thought and tradition, gaining total freedom from karmic bondages has been termed as attaining liberation. According to Jaina philosophy attaining liberation is the ultimate aim for any living being. Karmic bondages are of two types – the destructive types of karmic bondages and the non-destructive types. The destructive karma types are those that destroy the basic virtues of a living being to any extent. These are also referred to as sinful karmic bondages. The non-destructive karmic bondages are those that do not destroy the basic qualities of a living being to any extent. All the subtypes of the meritorious karma types are non-destructive and as they do not destroy or compromise basic or natural qualities of the soul, there is no provision or vows for renouncing them anywhere in the scriptures. In the Jaina system of spiritual practices even while accepting monastic ordination the vows are taken for refraining from violence, telling lies, non-stealing, sexual abstinence and non-possessiveness. No vows are taken for abandoning the auspicious activities of mercy, kindness, compassion, charity, service, affection, etc.,. Nowhere does the provision for taking or giving such vows exist anywhere in the Jaina scriptures. Not only this, everywhere there are instructions for destroying and separating sinful bondages but nowhere for the meritorious ones. As has been said - Khaventi anņāņamohadamsiņo, taverayā sañjama-ajjave gume | Dhuvanti pāvāim purekaņāim, ņavāim pāvāim ņa se karenti ||
- Daśavaikālika, 6.68. That is – Those spiritual aspirants who see and are constantly in the non-deluded volition and that practice penance, restraint and simplicity destroy and separate the earlier bonded karmic bondages and do not incur fresh ones. Tuttanti pāva kammāņi, navam kammamakuvvao II
- Sūtrakstānga, 1.1.55. That is - The earlier bonded karmic bondages of that aspirant, who does not incur new karmic bondages, get destroyed.
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Positive Non-Violence