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Himsä can also be divided as:
⚫ Inherent in one's occupation
⚫ Unrelated to one's occupation
The Himsä related to one's profession is further divided into three categories: (1) Udyami, (2) Gruhärambhi and (3) Virodhi.
Udyami:
The householder, in order to support himself and his family, has to get involved in an occupation and his occupation may involve Himsä. Therefore, householders should undertake occupations that involve less forms of Himsä.
Gruhärambhi:
Some kind of Himsä is involved while carrying out the manifold domestic duties and other obligations. Preparation of food, use of water in bathing and washing clothes, keeping animals for farming, maintenance of gardens, cutting fruits and flowers are some of such instances; and whatever Himsä involved in such household obligations is permissible with the thought of minimizing as much as possible. Virodhi:
It is committed generally in self-defense or in the protection of people or property of members of the family, relatives or friends. In the ordinary course of life, one has to defend himself from thieves, robbers or enemies in battle. If one is a soldier, defense of his country is an obligatory duty; but he is not expected to indulge in unnecessary Himsä as a matter of hostility or revenge.
Himsä can also be defined as Bhäva Himsä and Dravya Himsä:
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Mrishäväda:
Mrishäväda means to speak lies. To tell a lie is Päp. Lying is due to some form of passions; therefore, all lying is forbidden unless the truth is likely to result in greater Himsä. Spreading unkind rumors, character assassination, deliberately misguiding, forgery, causing thoughtless defamation, using harsh language, giving wrong testimony, etc., has to be avoided. The honesty and reliability of Jain businesspersons is well known in the history. At one time more than 50% of money transactions passed through their hands. The main reason of their success was their truthfulness. Use of words that inflict injury to living being is falsehood. However, the truth may have to be avoided at times, if it likely to cause loss of any life.
Any statement made through Pramäda (careless activity of body, mind or speech) is falsehood. The falsehood is of four kinds:
⚫ Denying the existence of a thing with reference to its position, time and nature, when it actually exists.
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Bhäva-himsä denotes the intention to cause injury or attempt to commit is a form of Himsä whether it is actually carried out or not.
Dravya-himsä denotes causing actual injury.
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Asserting the existence of a thing with reference to its position, time and place, when it does not exist at all.
Representation of an existing thing as something different from what it really is.
Utterance of condemnable, sinful or disagreeable words. Backbiting, harsh, unbecoming, nonsensible or unethical speech is condemnable. That kind of speech which incites another to engage in piercing, cutting, beating etc., or which is likely to lead to destruction of life is sinful. Speech causing uneasiness, pain, hostility, misery or anguish etc., is sinful and forbidden.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
