Ahimsa the Science of Peace

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

Page 87

almost every action and behaviour of the humans. Exploiting of fellow human beings, other life forms, natural resources etc. has become an accepted way of life. He has forgotten when to stop. The attributes that have been responsible for elevating human beings from the cyclic world of animals have, through indiscipline of movement, become the factors responsible for this despicable degradation.
The natural discipline is that to be effective, behaviour has to be controlled in space as well as time. Where and when to go is very important. The time factor is generally controlled by inside stimuli whereas the orientation by outside ones.
No behaviour is perfect the first time it is shown. In case of lower animals, the innate equipment is relatively complete and often efficient from start. But in case of the higher animals outward information in terms of experience plays major role. This is maximum in case of humans. Many complex behaviours are combination of innate programming and external experience.
To be observant of surroundings and careful in movement is the most important requirement of life in this extremely complicated and unpredictable soup of life and matter. Every society, religion or law has evolved methods of teaching this carefulness; only different names have been given to the process. Jains have gone much deeper and started at the roots of actions and reached the ultimate discipline.
In simple terms, the discipline is walk carefully, see where you put your next step, move gracefully, think before uttering, etc. These are the terms naturally evolved from the basic attitude of careful movement. Harm to self is as despicable as that to others. By careless movement one may
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