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application it means do what leads to the absence of violence, and that does not convey not punishing a criminal.
It sometimes seems that in the face of growing violence it is futile to talk of turning the other cheek. That is because we are under the general impression that turning the other cheek is a display of humility and weakness. However, in the context of ahimsa it is not so. Abhaya is the true expression of ahimsa and abhaya means absence of fear, which in turn comes from strength, not weakness. However, what exactly this strength means and how can it be put to use should be well understood.
Weakness gives birth to anger, hatred, vengeance and inany other negative attitudes and feelings. Weakness, both of body and mind, blocks the fulfillment of our desires. Unfulfilled desires cause sorrow and pain, which in turn culminate in feelings of hatred and vengeance. Inability to correct the situation gives rise to anger. Although anger is harinful to us, it satisfies our ego and we derive contentment by harming others. We forget that anger sprouting out of hatred and vengeance multiplies the destructive power of physical weapons to dangerous proportions. The only way to pacify hatred and vengeance is through self-control attained through inner strength.
By removing weakness we reduce anger and the other passions, but it is not so easy. Weakness should be removed from exactly where it is. It has first to be pinpointed. It should be understood that the strength or power we utilize to remove weakness can go astray, and this complicates the matter by increasing weakness, anger and consequent ill effects.
We have to recognize the exact place of weakness in our individual system, i.e. whether it is in the body, mind, or AHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE 0139
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