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and the soul released from its power; and Ahlmea is the one weapon which can actually bring about this devoutly wishedfor consummation.
Wherever Ahimsa has been put into practice, it has speedily cut the bondage of flesh, and restored the lost Divinity and Perfection, to the Soul, Jainism, therefore, rightly lays all the stress it can, on the practising of a-kimsă; that is, non-violence under all circumstances,
The significance of a-himsa is that you should hurt no one by word, thought, or deed; and you must not even entertain the desire to hurt any one For, the doctrine is applicable to all the three stages of evil-doing, namely-intention, preparation, and the actual commission of the wrongful deed.
He, who practises ahimsa, must also refrain from employIng another to do the hurtful act; and he should not encourage one who has done the deed after-wards, otherwise, he would become tainted with the evil as an accessory after the act as they put it in the terminology of Law.
In regard to its scope, ahimsa is not limited to humanity; on the contrary, its application must be extended to all living beings. The Jains rejoice when they read in the scriptures of other religions, statements like this-"I require mercy and not sacrifice!" These adequately show how far the scope, and the protection is to be extended. Let it be clearly understood that if you have no love for the life in the animal, you will not have it for man either. There is no such thing as a sudden rush of affection for one form of life all at once.
Show no violence to any one; hurt no one; injure nonenot even an insect-this is the Gospel of Life For, life is dear to all, and ahimsa actually allows all to enjoy life, unhampered, and unmolested by any one else. Ahimsa really means-molest no one, not even your own soul !
Those who hurt or injure others without justification,
A-6
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| SR No. | 008002 |
| Book Title | Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 2 Vibhag 1 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker |
| Publisher | Parimal Publication |
| Publication Year | 1989 |
| Total Pages | 623 |
| Language | English, Sanskrit |
| Classification | Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion |
| File Size | 14 MB |