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Bhagwan Mahavir ]、
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(non-violence) as one of their principles; but the Jain principle of Ahimsa is quite peculiar to itself. Ahimsa is the criterion of every thought or action of a Jaina. No other books on religion deal with this theme so thoroughly and minutely as the Jaina scriptures. The promulgators of Jaina religion have discussed this principle of Ahimsa in every respect. They have not only advised people to observe this principle but have themselves acted according to it. Other religions limit their principle of Ahimsa to physical activities only, but the Jaina principle goes farther than that; it is vocal, mental and spiritual. Other principles of Ahimsa are limited to the considerations of man and beast, but the Jaina principle admits no such limit. It embraces the whole creation, conscious and unconscious, under its fold; and still remains limitless. It is as limitless as the universe and as omnipresent as sky.
Very few people have tried to understand this great principle of Jaina Religion. Many are quite ignorant about it. Some say that it is unpractical and impracticable, some say it is self-destructive to the prosperity of the land. There fore, it is necessary to say a few words on this subject here.
The first blame that is put on Jain Ahimsa is that the scope of Ahimsa is so wide and extensive that it becomes quite impracticable, that one cannot observe it without stopping all the movements of his body, and that to live a life and to observe this principle of Ahimsa are two contrary things which cannot go together; therefore, to accept this principle is no less than to kill oneself.
Although the shape of Jaina Ahimsa is wide and it is not easy for an ordinary man to practise it, still it is not
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