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अहिंसा परमो धर्मस्तथाऽहिंसा परो दमः । अहिंसा परमं दानमहिंसा परमो तपः ॥
(Reference for life is the supreme religious teaching; Noninjury to life is the supreme moral guidance; giving freedom from fear to life is the supreme act of giving; Non-Violence to life is the supreme renunciation)
There is increasing awareness about the relevance of the Jain concept of active non-violence for universal sustainability and coexistence. Jain religion charts out a clear path of guidance and spiritual motivation to human beings on how to relate themselves to other human beings as well as other living species. Active non-violence implies that “a person should not act sinfully towards other living species, nor cause others to act so, nor allow others to act so".
The Jain view of the culture of Non-violence is all pervasive and comprehensive. Let it not be dismissed as too utopian or too impractical since such a half-hearted approach so far has perpetrated aggravation of violence in all walks of life. American Jain Scholar Michael Tobias has thoughtfully articulated:
"In no other religion has thought and action been so intricately merged into a unity of behaviour, and an environmental code of ethics that permeates every
aspect of Jain life, posterity and history".
Etymologically the word “non-violence” may appear to be the negative of the word “violence. In true essence, however the concept of non-violence in Jain philosophy stands for total negation and elimination of violence in all its manifestations - in deeds, words and thoughts. Cult of violence includes not only physical violence (Dravya-himsa) but also violence that hurts through words and thoughts (Bhaava-himsa).
Anger, pride, ego, deceit, greed, fear, revenge are all constituents of violence in thoughts and behaviour. By contrast,
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner
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