Ahimsa Crisis You Decide

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

Page 73

which results in transmigration and the pains associated with it. Hence, when I commit violence against someone else, the first person to be hurt is me, as I bind bad (sinful) karmas immediately.
Further violence originates in and is committed at the mental level the moment we start scheming. Mental violence is manifested either through speech or bodily actions, or both. When we start planning violence, we experience its immediate effect in enhanced blood pressure, stress, and loss of control of our senses. It is then committed either directly, by our own activities of mind, body, and speech, or indirectly, when we condone and inspire others who are performing violent acts. Ahimsa is the only golden thread that runs through all religions. Most religions differ from one another in all manner of doctrines and definitions, from the definition of divinity and question of who holds divine natures, to the question of whether life exists after death. Despite these disparities, all religions emphasize a strong, common thread: ahimsa, nonviolence, compassion, karuna, peace, and love. The details and degree of ahimsa may differ from one religion to another, but as a principle they all agree. Thus, ahimsa unites all religions.
THE BASIS OF AHIMSA IN JAINISM
In Jainism, ahimsa is the basis for the fundamental right of the existence of all life forms (jiva). According to Jainism, we must each remember, "I am a soul, not a body. I am eternal, constant and pure. All around me in this universe (irrespective of what life form/shapeone is), every single living being, big and small, human and non-human, plant and organism, has a soul just like me. All souls are eternal. Each soul is independent and individual. All souls are spiritually equal to one another. Each soul has the same inherent attributes of infinite knowledge, infinite perception and infinite consciousness. All souls want to live in peace and happiness. Each soul has the same feelings for happiness and suffering. No soul wants or desires suffering.
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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