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The Ahimsa principle incorporates within itself this natural balance and harmony of coexistence. While acquiring anything, generally the first thing that comes to mind is its usefulness to the individual. But according to the Ahimsa principle, there are many other long-term and short-term factors involved. The one thing that covers almost all factors is the consideration that no harm should be caused in any way to others as well as self while exploring, acquiring and using a thing
As the number of things useful to human beings is an ever-increasing factor, the term 'harm to others' also takes a variety of meanings with changing circumstances. It is important that the interpretation of this term be kept open and not confined in scope.
The first of the needs, as already emphasized, is food. It is so vital and important that it has been dealt with separately under the attitude of Alokitapana Bhojan. The other important need of beings is dwelling. While exploring, its safe habitability has to be considered first of all. Once that is ensured many other considerations come into play: displacement of others living at that place, blockage of the passage of others, and the effect of inhabiting the place on the environment and consequently on the other living beings in the surroundings.
With the capacity to invent and organize, the humans gradually formed society. The social systems evolved and with the improvements in travel and communications, distances started shrinking. All this increased the complications of group interactions in human beings and consequently the social and other disciplines started becoming complex. Although all the present forms of disciplines have been raised
AHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE 363 Jain Education International
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