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"Dhammo mangal mukkittham, ahimsa sanj-mo-tavo, deva vitam naman-santi, jass-dhamme saya mano.”
This means, "that which is nonviolence, self-restraint, and austerity is dharma" (spiritual values). It is by virtue of spiritual values that supreme spiritual beneficence results. To him whose mind is absorbed in spiritual values even gods pay homage (Saman Suttam-82).
In this sutra/aphorism, ahimsa, sanyam (restraint) and tapah (penance) are mentioned as the three most auspicious virtues. Using again the metaphor of ahimsa as a flawless boat sailing smoothly on the water, it is obvious that as soon as himsa is committed, the boat gets a hole in its bottom and starts leaking and accumulating water and thus sinking. As soon as sanyam (restraint) is applied, the occurrence and magnitude of himsa is reduced, the hole starts becoming smaller, and less and less water seeps in. With further restraints (we can imagine applying the brakes fully), the hole in the boat is completely plugged and no more water leaks in. Now, by doing penance (tapah), the accumulated water is thrown out of the boat. Here tapah is like a bucket used to throw away the accumulated water.
Influx of Karmic Matters (Asrava)
Stoppage of Influx (Samvar)
Bondage of Karmic Matters (Bandha)
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
Dissociation of Karmic Matter (Nirjara)
PICTURE OF A BOAT, a popular metaphor explaining the cycle of Karmas
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