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or to mislead him by lies. But this prohibition to kill, the "Ahinsa” was not restricted to man, but it extended to animals as well Budhists and Jains regarded it as a sin to kill an animal, but only the Jains regarded "Ahinsa" in this extension of its meaning as the highest religious law as the “ Paramo Dharama " and have carried its consequences to the extreme, and as they regard plants also as possessed of life, it becomes, practically impossible for men in the common conditions of life to carry out the commandment not to kill in all its bearings. But the law is strictly binding on the monks and the greater part of rhe rules of conduct have reference to the “ Ahirsa." The laymentry to abstain from killing at least animal life, hence they are strict vegetarians as you all know. Not to kill any living being may be said to be the principal consideration of the Jains, the cornerstone of their ethics.
THE JAIN BELIEF I have said that the Jains consider plants also as possessed of life, to be the abode or body of souls In this regard they agree with other philosophers of the Hindus. But they extend the domain of souls far beyond the animal and vege
table kingdom, their views in this respect are very Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
