Basic Jain Culture Non Possession

Author(s): Padamchand Shastri, N L Jain
Publisher: Veer Seva Mandir Trust

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and let live' etc. are based on conducts which are associated with basic Jain culture. They are all based on the culture of non-possession or they are the effects resulting from non-possession-based nature of Jinas. Such slogans are also observed in non-Jains also. They also denigrate violence, falsity, stealing, illicit sex etc., though they might not be at the same level as are the Jainas. However, they also do not nourish non-possesion upto the end. Their gods are also possessed of and surrounded by possessions. In contrast, the 'Jinas' or 'Arhats' have total non-possessiveness.
It seems that the slogans like 'Non-violence is the Supreme Religion'etc. are just the counter-slogans of Kill or let be killed' etc. It is possible that such slogans might have developed from many narratives like Narad-Mountain dialogues when the word Aja (no rebirth) was taken to mean'goat'. Alternatively, it might be during the time of Mahavira when violence was predominant in the society. We assume that such narratives must have been rare in the periods prior to Neminatha.
In the beginning of this current era, there were no such incidents during Rishabhdeva's time. The royal penalisation, then, was limited in three words, (1) Oh/Ha, (2) Do not do so (ma) and (3) Censure to you (Dhik). These compassionate words were the penalties. The mutual fight between Bharata and Bahubali (sons of Rishabhadeva) is itself an indicator of compassion towards other (human) beings. It was the period of an atmosphere of renunciation of possessions and observance of restraint even upto the end of one's life. The Pravachan Sara (Essence of Sermons, 3.40) states that the individual is restrained shramana (Striver) who follows 5 carefulnesses, 3 guards, control over five senses, winning over passions and who acquires good knowledge and conation.
Another important point is that Jains have always given prominence to acquire detachment and non-possessive character. That is why,