________________
family should enhance their knowledge, especially of the things the child is curious about. They should be equipped to satisfy his curiosity if and when it arises.
This is the time to teach him to appreciate others' feelings and not to hurt them. Everything that widens his horizons should be made available to him. This all-round development should include an enhancement of his physical, mental, moral and spiritual strength.
For implementing this, the two most effective groups of people are teachers and religious gurus. They have the required power and reach to contribute effectively in this direction, provided they sincerely desire to do so. All other sections of the society can also play a constructive role by formulating methods and means of encouragement.
The second category includes those who are completely malformed by violence, are filled with violent feelings and attitudes, but are weary of violence and want some change, some rest, from tiring violent activities. They can be rehabilitated by drastic changes in their living conditions. For this something akin to rehabilitation centers for alcoholics or drug addicts will have to be devised; may be under the guidance and supervision of psychologists as well as mature religious gurus. We have to recognize openly that continued indulgence in violence is an addiction.
One very important but mostly neglected step towards the popularization of the ahimsa way of life is to change the ritualistic mindset of stringent adherence to a code of conduct and vows, irrespective of the level of the individual. This mindset is prevalent among religious and social leaders who blindly stick to the word and not the meaning of codes of conduct. Instead of giving importance to their role
AHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE 154 For Private & Personal Use Only
Jain Education International
www.jainelibrary.org
