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on the foundation of those early and simple but fundamental principles, they have lost their intrinsic strength of being the inbred disciplines. They have mostly become rules and laws to be imposed forcibly.
The urban and municipal rules are nothing but the extension, in modified form, of the attitude under discussion. These laws prevent the infringement of dwelling dimensions of one by the others in any possible way. The only difference is that these laws are mostly limited in their usefulness to human beings, whereas the Ahimsa principle has much wider range, including all living organisms and the environment conducive to evolution of life.
As this attitude covers everything acquired for human use, it covers a wide range of social and other laws. Apparels, modes of transportation, things of comfort and luxury, tools and implements etc. all come within the scope of this attitude. The simple and most important advantage of this inner discipline is that by practicing it, all the other rules and laws are automatically implemented without any outside pressure.
Originally it was need, which lead to acquisitions, but as the human mind and body got used to convenience and material comfort, needless acquisitions also started. When ambition was added the feeling of caring for others reduced. It turned into oppression of others when bloated ego came into action. Wastefulness, extravagance, hoarding, adulteration etc. are the results of the absence of this attitude.
In order to keep the selfish components of human nature from transgressing the realm of others, the observation of this attitude is vital and essential. At social level this attitude will breed harmony as well as reduce the abuse of availAHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE 64
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