________________
Chapter
WHY THIS BOOK?
AN AHIMSA CRISIS: CONFLICT OR OPPORTUNITY— YOU DECIDE
T his book is about ahimsa (non-violence), the nonviolent
way of life; it is written as a dialog with my other fellow I practitioners of ahimsa; especially Jains. This book is intended for lay readers and discusses how they might practice ahimsa today. It is not about the lifestyles of monks and nuns of the Jain tradition or of any other tradition.
The Jain Way of Life (JWOL) and the Ahimsak (non-violent) Way of Life (AWOL) are two sides of the same coin.
Nearly 2,600 years ago, Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankar or “ford-maker” of Jains, laid down a very specific and detailed code of conduct for Jain laity in regard to the practice of ahimsa in their daily lives. He, through his own self-practice, preaching, and practical demonstrations also strongly objected and revolted against the prevalent practices of himsa (violence) in many customs and traditions of the day. These practices included animal sacrifices in religious rituals, slavery; especially of women, societal discrimination on the basis of caste, gender, and economic status, and pollution and destruction of the environment. Lord Mahavira made ahimsa the centerpiece of his sermons and of his fourfold Sangh (community).
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
45
