Anuvrat Movements Theory and Practical

SR No.: 007667
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shivani Bothra
Publisher: USA Florida International University
Publication Year: 2013
Total Pages: 109
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 500 KB

Page 31

through an action-oriented program of 11 vows. Ethics is the science of conduct. It
considers the actions of human beings with reference to their righteousness or wrongness,
their tendency to good or evil." Tulsi's 11 modified Anuvrat vows are as follows:
(1) not to intentionally kill moving, innocent creatures, not to commit suicide and not to commit feticide; (2) not to attack anybody; not to support aggression; to endeavor to bring about world peace and disarmament. (3) not to take part in violent agitations or in any destructive activities; (4) not to discriminate on the basis of caste, color etc., not to treat anyone as an untouchable; and to believe in human unity (5) to practice religious toleration and not to rouse sectarian frenzy; (6) to observe rectitude in business and general behavior; not harm others in order to serve any ends and not to practice deceit; (7) to set limits to acquisition; (8) not to resort to unethical practices in elections; (9) not to encourage socially evil customs; (10) to lead a life free from addictions; not to use intoxicants like alcohol, hemp, heroin, tobacco etc.; (11) to be alert to the problems of keeping the environment pollution-free; not to cut down trees and not to waste water."
As discussed earlier in the chapter, the basis of Tulsi's 11 Anuvrat vows is the five
precepts commonly found in eastern traditions: nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy
and non-possession. However, as explained by Acharya Mahapragya, the successor of
Acharya Tulsi, the vows of the Anuvrat Movement were also meant to reflect the ethical
concepts of compassion, equality, human unity, integrity, living in present and the
moderate consumption of resources.
Tulsi consciously designed the language of the vows to demonstrate the tradition
of the Jain theory of negation (to restrain negative actions is more effective than to
proscribe positive action). Yet, the wording also reflects an effort to modernize by
37 John S. Mackenzie, A Manual of Ethics (Cosimo Classics, 2005), 1. 38 Anuvrat - A Code of Conduct for Building a Healthy Society (Anuvrat Mahasamiti, 1999), 4–5.