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with others as we would like to be treated by others and this is the essence of Mahavira's teachings. 64
A unique feature of Jainism is the definition of society comprising all living beings, be they human-subhumanheavenly-hellish or even one sensed living beings like air bodied-water bodied-fire bodied-earth bodied or plant bodied thereby making the society as not just of human beings but of animals, birds, plants and the entire eco-system itself. Ahimsa is nothing but to treat all living beings as equal i.e. each and every form of life as equal with equal right to lead a peaceful life and develop their potential completely as explained in Acharang:
That which you consider destroyable is (like) yourself. That which you consider disciplinable is (like) yourself. That which you consider worth harming is (like) yourself. That which you consider worth subjugating is (like) yourself. That which you consider worth killing is (like) yourself. The result of action done by you has to be borne by you, so do not destroy anything.
The directive principle of living is not 'Living on others', or 'Living by killing', but 'Living with others' as enunciated in the sutra- Parasparopagrahojivanam." This Jain slogan is best explained by a symphony (musical orchestra) where each and every member of 1000 or so strong musicians play their own music and create an experience which is more than 1000 times of the individual musician. The problem arises when one values his independence (selfishness / ego / arrogance) and ignores the same of others resulting in increased terrorism, vandalism, sexual / racial or economic exploitations etc.
Vegetarianism-An Instrument of Nonviolence Vegetarianism is the foremost manifestation of Ahimsa. It is simply a logical extension of the habit of looking upon other life forms with tenderness and compassion. The basic reason is that once we are cruel to animals, it is not difficult for us to be cruel to fellow human beings also. Life of 22nd Tirthankara Neminath offers an excellent example of renouncing his luxurious life for
Gandhi & Jainism
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