Ahimsa the Science of Peace

Author(s): Surendra Bothra
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 49

tion and desire to live. Even an iota of attitude opposed to this is detrimental to the progress of soul and may be termed as violence.
The fourth principle disciple (Ganadhar) of Mahavir, Vyakt, during his discussions about fundamentals in nature, asked, “If according to you earth, air, plants, water, fire etc. are full of living organisms even ascetics would be guilty of violence caused by eating, drinking, breathing etc. As such there would be total lack of Ahimsa."
Mahavir explained, “You will have-to understand and adjudge violence in its proper perspective. The fact that nature is infested with living organisms does not mean that violence is inevitable. It is not correct to assume that a person commits violence merely by becoming instrumental in destruction of another being. Even this is false that a person is non-violent because he has not caused destruction of another being.
“Also, it is not true that violence increases or decreases according to the number of beings present. Even without actually killing someone a person is violent like a butcher if he has evil thoughts. Similarly, having pure thoughts a person is nonviolent like a doctor even if he has actually been instrumental in physical act of killing. As such, by virtue of pure or evil thoughts and feelings a person is violent or nonviolent whether or not he is actually involved in the act of killing:
"In fact, in its absolute definition, violence is the presence of evil thoughts, feelings or attitude. It does not necessarily depend on act of killing. Any involvement in the act of killing by a person whose feelings, thoughts and attitudes are pure does not fall under the category of violence." AHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE 0 6