Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Sukhlal Sanghavi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Essence of Jainis
the killing of any embodied self under any protext is considered to be killing of the self and all killing is considered to result in Adharma.
The Brahmanical tradition originally commenced and developed round the concept of Brahman. The Sramana tradition commenced and developed round 'Sama' i.e., equality, tranquillity and effort. The word “Brahman' has so many different meanings of which attention should be properly drawn to two in the present context : (i) eulogy and prayer; (ii) sacrificial ritual. 'Brahman means various eulogies and prayers through the vedic mantras and sūktas. In the same way, even the sacrificial ritual, in which the vedic mantras are employed, is known as 'Brahman'. Only those who rocite the mantras and sūktas, i.e., the class of the Purohitas and those wbo preside over the performance of sacrifices, are brahmins. Through the prayers and eulogies of the vedic mantras and through the excessive hold of the sacrificial rituals, these brahmins dominated in the then contemporary society and religion. This dominance became so firm that the brahmin class began to believe and started proclaiming that it was supreme by birth. The same view became firm and steady in the society and this led to the belief in class-difference. It was proclaimed that the brahmin is the mouth of the Purusa in form of the society and all other classes were its limbs. Contrary to this, the Śramaņa dharma believed and proclaimed that in aay society, all men and women have an absolutely equal right to good deeds and status in religion. One who proves his qualification through diligence and effort, attaios to higher status irrespective of class or sex.
Just like the idea of social and religious equality, both are mutually opposed with regard to the idea of the aim of life. The Sramapa dharma believes that this-worldly or other-worldly uplift is contemptible in all respects; according to it the only aim of life is final beautitude or liberation. That is precisely the reason why it laid emphasis on Samya-equality of means as much as the end or aim. The principal means of liberation is non-violence, which meaos no violence whatsoever towards any living being in any manner. Other means are included in this. This vision of