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58 First Steps to Jainism
(in the form of non-violence, self control and penance)while Right Vision forms the solid ground in which it is imbedded and Right Knowledge forms its roots.
3. It needs to be clarified that in its broader scope non-violence includes self-control as well as penance and, therefore, all the vows, controls constituting Right Conduct as shall be discussed presently. A question can legitimately arise as to when Right Conduct has already been stated and dealt with as means of salvation, why and what for the need for the three hallmarks? The answer is that a layman may not be interested in the philosophical discussion of the seven fundamentals or the three jewels, he may find it difficult to absorb such fine details. If such a one wants to know what is Jainism, what distinguished it from other faiths or religions, the three hallmarks provide a ready answer that Jainism is the religion teaching nonviolence, self-control and penance or these three constitute Jain religion. The statement may not be wrong from practical point of view since these three constitute right conduct (Charitra) and it has been rightly said that Charito Khalu Dhamo conduct is the supreme religion.
4. Further, if one were to look for one single hallmark of Jainism, one outstanding feature, it is non-violence and non-violence alone. It has been said rightly that Ahimsa Parmo Dharma-non violence is the highest religion. From this point of view all other aspects of religion including self-control and penance are but parts of the broader spectrum of non-violence. Indeed, one cannot practice non-violence properly if one did not control one's thought, speech and action. Thus even any un-restricted movement while walking may cause violence to living beings. This necessitates control over one's limbs implying self-control.
5. Similarly, if inspite of all efforts one is not able to exercise selfcontrol specially control over one's mind and senses, penance is the means to achieve the same. By practising penance not only the body, but the speech and the mind can be effectively controlled leading to a non-violent way of life. Thus self-control and penance are but steps to non-violence.
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