Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 48

Bhagavān Mahāvīra
living being is smaller or greater in this respect. From the point of view of their development, the living beings can be classified into six categories :
1. Beings with earth-bodies viz. mineral substances. 2, Beings with water-bodies. 3. Beings with fire-bodies. 4. Beings with air-bodies. 5. Vegetation beings composed of vegetation bodies.
6. Mobile living beings. 1. Bhagavān Mahāvīra preached non-violence and said
Don't kill any living being. Don't cause pain to anybody. Don't impose yourself on anybody. Don't bind and enslave anybody.
This is the Principle of Equalitarianism. This is the religion of ahimsa (i.e. non-violence). It is the Eternal Religion.
The following are the constituents of the Religion of Equalitarianism :
* Don't be afraid of anybody, nor terrorise anybody. * Don't consider yourself nor others to be wretched. * Don't cherish hatred towards anybody. * Don't be sorry if you do not get what you have desired
and don't be joyous if you get it. * Don't be elated in your happiness and dejected in
your misery. * Don't be attached to life nor be afraid of death.
Don't be puffed up by flattery nor be upset by criti
cism. * If you are honoured, don't be proud, and if you are
insulted, don't feel belittled. * Don't be disturbed by crises ; remain spiritually com
posed in their midst. Ahimsa consists in an attitude of equanimity.