Ahimsa Crisis You Decide

Author(s): Sulekh C Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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slavery; societal discrimination on the basis of caste, gender, and economic status; and pollution and destruction of the environment. Lord Mahavira made ahimsa the centerpiece of his sermons and of his fourfold Sangh (community).
This concept of unconditional ahimsa towards all life forms is the most profound contribution of Jains to India and to the world. In India, the ahimsa of the Jains has played a significant role in shaping many customs and traditions, one of them being vegetarianism.
As Dr. Atul Shah, chief editor of the London-based Jain Spirit said, "For Jains, Ahimsa is an everyday word. However, for many people, violence is an everyday experience. They would not think twice about arguing with someone or even having a fight. Many do not care how or where their food comes from-they seem to be angry all the time. A non-vegetarian diet is the norm and vegetables the exception. The message of Ahimsa is quite remote from their day-to-day life. Many of these people have not experienced genuine love-ever. To them, it is normal to argue. And the modern world of greed and materialism exacerbates this violence." (Reference Add)
As the centerpiece of Jainism, ahimsa is the aatmaa (soul) it is the only vehicle (means) to cross this ocean of Samsara (worldly existence). (Reference Add)
In reality, ahimsa and Jainism are two sides of the same coin. Jainism stands on the pillar of ahimsa. Prof. Gary Francione of Rutgers University defines ahimsa as "staying in equanimity” (samyaktva bhaav) and notes that any step away from equanimity is himsa or can be understood as walking towards himsa. Himsa (violence) refers to any action accompanied by the giving of pain or rise of passions, whereas ahimsa is about not inflicting harm and pain to one's self or others in thoughts, words, or actions.
In Jain cosmology, animals also possess a moral and spiritual dimension. A favorite Jain tale relates to an elephant, the leader of a large herd, caught in a raging forest fire. Seeking
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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