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Gently, I wiped the sweat off his brow—a task often relegated to a nursing assistant or nurse. A few days later, my patient left the hospital with hospice. As for the woman on Poplar, I am not sure if she realized that her simple act of compassion affected me. And I am not sure if my simple act may have an impact on others, who then will also do simple acts of compassion today, affecting still others, in a sort of cycle of nonviolence.”
CARE FOR INJURED BIRDS In May of 2010, due to a major oil spill from the oil-pumping rig of BP Oil Company, in the Gulf of Mexico, thousands of sea birds and mammals were injured and became coated with the tar, thick oil, and toxic film. As a result, many could not move, fly, or even breathe. A large number started dying. As soon as the pictures of this environmental disaster started becoming available, hundreds of animal activists and animal lovers descended on the scene and started cleaning the injured birds, caring for them, and thus saved the lives of thousands of these poor and helpless creatures affected by the manmade disaster. This was again active—not just passive compassion in action.
COMMUNITY ROLE MODELS IN AHIMSA Every community has some role models to look to for guidance and example. We need to identify such people both within and outside the Jain community. Here is my short list of some of the people (please add to this list from your own contacts) I know and have come in touch with who inspire and challenge me to perceive and reflect upon the practice of ahimsa in everyday life. Here are a few names that I know of; these teachers include: Gurudev Chitrabhanu, New York Pramoda Chitrabhanu, New York An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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