Mahavira Smruti Granth Part 01

SR No.: 010530
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamtaprasad Jain, Others
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Society Agra
Total Pages: 363
Language: Hindi
Classification: Smruti_Granth
File Size: 9 MB

Page 333

TAN YUN-SHAN
As Ahimsa is one of the cardinal virtues and doctrines of almost all the philosophical and religious systems in India, so also 18 it in China. The only. difference is, as mentioned above, that instead of using the negative word Ahuosä, the Chinese preferred to use the positive word Jen.
Jen has a vast volume of meanings and a lot of diversities of interpretations Different scholars of different schools have explained it at different times. Even the greatest saint of China, Confucius, gave it a good many diffe. rent explanations to different persons on different occasions Once asked by bis disciple named Fan Chich . What about Jen i the Master said: "To love all people." (Confucian Analects) At another time asked by anotber disciple, called Yen Yuan, about the same, he said.-" To subdue one's self and return to propriety , this is Jen." (Confucian Analects). Again answering the same question asked by another disciple, named Chung Kung, the Master said "Don't do to others what you would not wish done to yourself." (Confucian Analects) Again at another time another disciple, called Tzu Chang, asked the Master about the same tapic, and he said in answering : "To be able to practise five things everywhere underheapen constitutes Jen" When asked what they were, the Master said, "Gravity, generosity, sincerity, earnestness and kindness" (Confucian Analects), Confucius also said on several other occasions .- "A man of Jen will always rest in perfect virtuc."
Only the man of Jen can always love people" "A man devoted to Jen will have no hatred." (Confucian Analects).
In Y1-Ching, the Book of Change, the Vedas 'of China), it has been said "The superior gentleman realised in the virtue of Jen will nurture people" "The great virtue of Heaven and Earth is life The great Jewel of the saint is his position How to maintain his position ? It 18 by Jen " la Sbu-Ching, the Book of History, it 18 written : "The people have no bxed affection, but always think of the virtues of Jen" In Chung-Yung, the Doctrine of the Golden Mean, it was said - "Jen is the characteristic ele. ment of bumanity, and the great exercise of it is in loving all people, especially relatives ""
Such passages in ancient Chinese scriptures are rather too many to be quoted one by one here in general, Jen means Unyersa) Love Some European savants rendered it into English as Beneyolence and Perfect Virtue. The Chinese Classical scholars of Sung Dynasty also explained it as "Tbe entire virtue of the heart " I think the Sanskrit word Maitri as understood by Buddhist religion and philosophy is the nearest equivalent to it.
This gospel of Jen was first properly taught and preached sn Chipa about twenty-five centuries ago by the greatest Chinese saint Confucius (552-479 B. C.). Then again at 985 more profoundly and systematically expounded and disseminated by the great Chinese sage Mencius (372-289 B C Afterwards almost all the classical scholars of all the dynasties of China's long