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श्रमण
RELEVANCE OF NON-VIOLENCE IN
MODERN LIFE
Dulichand Jain. *
The image of Jaina community as champions of peace and goodwill and committed to vegetarianism is strongly imprinted on the Indian mind. Mahatma Gandhi, perhaps the greatest advocate of non-violence in our age, had been deeply influenced by non-violence as a political instrument, by the revered Jaina scholar Raichandabhai Mehta, through intimate personal contact. To abstain from violence is the vow of Jainism around which the other vows ---to abstain from falsehood, theft, non-continence and possessiveness, revolve. Great importance has been ascribed to non-violence by every Indian school of thought yet none have carried it to the extreme as the Jainas have. However, the concept of Ahiṁsā, which is the supreme Dharma "Ahiṁsā paramo dharmaḥ" has not been properly understood and there are many misgivings about it.
What is meant by "Ahimsā"? Generally it is taken to mean nonharming or non-violence to any living creature but really speaking it is an attitude by which a person identifies himself with all living beings. Ahiṁsā is equanimity. It is the holy law of compassion in body, mind and spirit. The term "Ahimsā" has both a negative as well as positive connotation. It is generally undrstood by its negative reference, i.e. refraining from causing any injury or harm towards any one. However, positively it has a very sublime and profound aspect and it stands for the practice of love towards all beings.
*
Secretary, Research Foundation for Jainology, 70, Sembudoss Street, Chennai - 600 001.
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