First Steps to Jainism Part 1

Author(s): Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur

Page 61

The Three Jewels 47
2. Untruth (asatya), 3. Theft (chorya), 4. Unchastity (abrahama), and 5. Covetiveness (parigrah)
Jainism believes that these five are the channels of sin which are the source of all troubles in this world, and which also cause influx of karmas into the soul. The five vows are intended to plug these channels of sin.
59. Though the five vows explicitly prescribe refrainment from five channels of sin, yet these also include within their scope positive aspects of virtuous activity and are not to be interpreted as inactivity only. Hence observance of vows can also be described as practising of:
(c)
Non-violence (ahimsa), Truthfulness (satya), Non-theft (achorya), Chastity (brahamacharya), and Non-covetiveness (aparigrah).
(d)
These are, however, two sides of the same vows and to fulfil the requirements of these vows one has not only to refrain from the evils but also positively engage in the virtuous activities. These will be clarified while elucidating each one of the five vows which is attempted in the subsequent paras.
60. The first vow-Refrainment from violence or practising Non-violence (Ahimsa)-Violence has been described as causing injury to any living being due to non-vigilant conduct. To undertake to refrain from the violence wholly and for all times or partly even for a limited period is to take the major vow or minor vow of non-violence respectively. On the positive side to help the needy, save the dying, charity, kindness to the deserving etc. are means to actively pursue the vow of non-violence.
61. Non-violence is the sheet anchor of Jainism. In its wide spectrum it includes all other vows i.e. truth, non-theft, chastity