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 78

"Gautama! The one who serves the diseased." Dānam sīlam ca tavo bhāvo, evam cauvviho dhammo Savvajinehim bhanio, tahā duhā sua-caritehim ||
- Saptatisthānaprakaraņa, verse 56. All the Tīrthańkaras have said that the dharma is practiced in four ways – through charity, through righteousness, through penance and through right volition. That dharma has been said to be of two kinds – the scriptural dharma (Śruta dharma) and conduct dharma (Cāritra dharma). Pasatthajogapadivanne ya ņam anagāre aṇantaghāi pajjave
khavai | - Uttarādhyayana sūtra, Ch. 29. Aphorism 7.
The monk who engages himself in auspicious activities of mind, body and speech destroys many kinds of destructive karmic bondages. body and speech destroys many Thus, it is clear that the auspicious activities of mind, body and speech are able to destroy the four destructive types of karmic bondages and yield the spiritual emancipation to their practitioners.
Jīvāņam rakkhaṇam dhammo 1 - Kārkikeyānuprekṣā, 478. To protect all living beings is dharma.
The abovementioned quotes from Svetāmbara as well as Digambara sources show that non-violence has a positive form and that it is based on positive activities such as mercy, kindness, compassion, affection, service, friendship, etc. Violence is not to be given up only because it results in karmic bondages and because it results in misery in future rebirths but also because to be violent is to be inhuman. All the religions of the world support such noble activities of mercy, kindness and compassion and urge their followers to act compassionately. It is a different matter altogether whether or not they apply this concept of mercy, kindness and compassion to species other than human. Unfortunately some Jaina thinkers have wrongly explained the concept of non-violence, which is Jainism's mainstay. By doing so, they have promoted the practice of inhuman conduct. Therefore, it is essential that this concept is absolutely and clearly explained,
Positive Non-Violence