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 81

of affection, friendship, etc. If we take out this positive form we are left with only the negative form of non-violence. The quality of nonviolence is in the form of good acts of mercy, charity, etc. Charity is the very natural quality of the soul and it is for this reason that the completely detached Lords are considered to be endowed with the quality of infinite charity (ananta dāna). Non-violence also means affection. That is why they are said to be universally affectionate. Thus, positive non-violence, and not only negative non-violence, has also been given a place among the natural qualities of the soul. As the word ‘ajñāna' indicates absence of knowledge or ignorance, it also indicates false knowledge or opposite of knowledge. Similarly the word non-violence indicates absence of violence as well as mercy, kindness, compassion, affection, friendship, etc, which are opposites of violence.
In a wholesome life the renunciatory or negative form of nonviolence is essential but to consider it as the whole meaning of nonviolence would be delusory and misleading. Therefore, a practitioner of non-violence needs both the negative form of non-violence in the form of not killing or hurting any creature as also the positive form of non-violence in the form of mercy, kindness, compassion, etc. Great Digambarācārya Nemicandra has said – Asuhādo viņivittī, suhe pavitti ya jāņa cārittam ||
- Vrhaddravyasaṁgraha, 45. (Right) conduct is nothing but refraining from inauspicious activities (like violence, etc) and to engage in auspicious activities (like mercy, kindness, etc.).
The negative form of non-violence is not to kill or hurt or dismember or torment or torture or harm or using hurtful speech or enslave or overload or misbehave with, or ill-treat or to subject to immoral behaviour or thinking ill of, or speaking ill of, any living being. In the positive sense it takes the form of mercy, kindness, compassion, charity, friendship, affection, service, cooperation, brotherhood,
Positive Non-Violence