Ahimsa the Science of Peace

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

Page 83

called staunch followers of Jainism have become so overwhelmed with the projected effects of killing of infinite number of micro-organisms that they hardly care about inconvenience or harm caused to fellow human beings through careless movement.
In reality this attitude is much wider in scope and is not unique to Jainism. The development of this attitude is one of the essential parts of social life, because behaviour is nothing but the movement man and animals make. This includes running, swimming, flying, and all other types of locomotion as also talking, making gestures etc. Movement also covers breathing, twitching of muscles, blushing and even seizure of motion.
Behaviour has slowly evolved from the instinct for survival. Mechanically speaking it is a consequence of muscle activity stimulated by nerves. Any single act is not an isolated act of a particular muscle or nerve. It is an organized act of muscle movement initiated by the nervous system. While making any move, one should be aware of things around him and should be careful that the harmony is not disturbed. Also, one should be careful that no harm comes to himself or any other individual component of the biome.
Nature has equipped every living organism with a method of movement suitable to its body and living conditions. The basic need to live and the urge to procreate are the driving forces behind all its activities. The process of protection in nature is infinitely varied, and it is so difficult for an individual to comprehend and be prepared to counter each and every assault he may innocently or otherwise trigger through his careless movements. The story of aggres
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