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Media / instruments of committing violence (3): i.e. mind, speech and body.
When we think of the source or origin of violence, we come to our thought process first. Jains say that the thinking of violence is directly related to our feelings of attachment or aversion to those for or against whom we wish to be violent. Hence we first use our mind and then to inflict violence by body and speech. We thus see that if we think of violence we have committed it already even if we do not implement / express it by body or speech due to our inadequacies or other circumstances. Similarly the motive behind our thoughts and the intensity thereof also are instrumental in our acts of violence.
Talking of the results of violence, karma doctrine of Jains say the one who commits violence will also be caused pain suitably either immediately or in future. We observe this in our own life as 'when we think of committing violence we are preoccupied with the cruel thoughts as love, compassion etc disappear and our body starts showing ill effects like trembling- loss of breathe and thought faculty, hypertension, anxiety, sleeplessness etc'.
Spiritual aspects of Ahimsa In Jainism practice of Ahimsa is primarily for self purification to enhance our levels of attainment of knowledge and happiness and leading to bliss ultimately. Practice of Ahimsa helps the soul in eliminating or minimizing attachment and aversion which manifest as greed and deceit; and anger and arrogance. These are the causes of bondage of karmas as well. Similarly in our social interactions, Ahimsa implies not causing pain to others as we are the sufferers first. According to Jainism, Internal Ahimsa is not possible without developing equanimity, universal love, selfless service (of meritorious activities), compassion etc.
Ethical Practice of Ahimsa The divine and yet pragmatic philosophy of non-violence in dayto-day life has been beautifully elaborated by Mahavira: “I cannot give back life to dead. No one can give back life to dead. So no one should take it. In happiness and suffering, in joy or
Pg.244 Gandhi & Jainism
