Ahimsa and Jainism

Author(s): Vijayvallabhsuri
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi

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SELF-PURIFICATION
Jainism has firmly held that life is sacred, irrespective of species, caste, colour, creed or nationality. The practice of Ahimsa is both an individual and a collective virtue; and this kindly attitude, which requires that human hearts should be free from baser impulses such as anger, pride, hypocrisy, greed, envy and contempt, has a positive force and a universal appeal. It is only by removing one's faults and shortcomings, that is, by purifying one's own self, that one's activities become good in the real sense of the term. Their effects may be far-reaching or limited-that depends on the position and influence of the individual concerned.
Ahimsa is the basis of other vows or ethical principles such as truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and limited possessions. These and other rules of conduct are well graded for the uplift of the individual from man to better man, and better man to superman. Not only different stages are marked out for him to enable him to practise these vows according to his abilities and environments, but there is also drawn up a graded list of living beings to which a religious person is expected to do the least harm. The living beings are classified according to their sense organs.