________________
tion for further development. The foundation of the structure has been left weak, and the higher level has been made heavy. The fall of such a lopsided structure is inevitable. That is the reason that hypocrisy has crept into the ascetic organization as well as the society. The higher the level of religiosity, the more is the hypocrisy. Following the ahimsa attitude is not just meant for the next life or attaining liberation, as generally preached by the religious. It is true, applicable, effective and beneficial in our normal day-to-day life.
The term ahimsa literally means negation of himsa (the whole range of violence starting from an idea of hurting and going right up to destruction). Ontologically speaking, when we talk of himsa (destruction) we should first consider to which of the Reals it is applicable, soul or body. Soul is immortal and there is no question of destroying it. Therefore what can be destroyed is body. Body is matter, and matter is never destroyed; it just undergoes continuous transformation. Then what is himsa? On serious contemplation, we find that at a subtle level himsa does not mean destruction or killing; it just means transformation. This makes sense only when we understand that life is formed by a combination of matter and soul. Therefore the fundamental definition of himsa is to curb or impede the natural evolution of embodied soul. All other definitions are mere derivations, extensions or elaborations of this.
When ahimsa is interpreted or explained as 'not to do himsa', it is a simple social stricture. As long as the meaning of ahimsa is confined to its connotation of negation, it is just a prohibition and remains within the realm of legal codes. When negation takes the form of a stricture, it is just a prohibition of the simplest form. However, this initial level,
AHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE 135
For Private & Personal Use Only
Jain Education International
www.jainelibrary.org
