________________
Essence of Jainism
non-violence of confining their non-violence only to animals and birds and add that it touches humanity and our countrymen the least. The following evidences would decisively prove that the accusation is wrong:
102
(1) If we set aside the ancient and medieval periods and examine the history of terror-striking famines and other natural calamities, small and big, we find that the Sanghas proclaiming and nourishing non-violence have done lots for men and women suffering from shortage of food. Lots are spent, lots of money are spent on medicines and clothes. To take an example, details of the famine of 1956 V. S. are available.
(2) Let us collect the details of the donations and financial help given by the Mahajans or liberal donors who learn of somebody starving even in a remote village even when there is no famine or any natural calamity.
(3) Let us note that at least five million of fakirs, bawas and sadhus, who do not work for their food, are maintained and continue to be maintained in fair comfort.
The Prohibitive and Prescriptive Forms of Amāri. Non Violence and Mercy
Non-violence or Non-hurt has two forms; (1) Prohibitive; (2) the prescriptive that results therefrom. Not hurting any one or non-participating in sorrows of others when they do not desire, constitute prohibitive non-violence. Participation in the sorrow of others or giving benefit of ones own facilities to others constitute prescriptive non-violence. This is also known as service. For the sake of convenience we will know these two as non-violence and mercy. Non-violence is far more valuable than mercy and still it does not catch our attention as quickly as mercy does. If mercy is universally knowable, we can state that non-violence is self-knowable. The person who practises non-violence, experiences its fragrance. Its benefit is ofcourse invariably available to others. Still, even the persons who benefit from it do not often know the element of non-violence, that is its cause; a long time passes be
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
