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Other Considerations of Ahimsa Parasparopagraho jivanama or living beings help each other is the doctrine leading us to practice peaceful co-existence and development. We thus see emergence of special interest groups like non-violent communications, ecology-preservation, human and animal rights, and setting up departments in universities all over the world to teach and research on Ahimsa and even setting up a university on Ahimsa. The United Nations has declared October 2nd as the World Non Violence Day to be celebrated all over the world.
We can thus conclude that there are no choices left except to understand, preach, practice and put all efforts to make this world a non-killing society. This is in line with Mahavira's conclusive pronouncement that after understanding the importance of kindness to beings, the enlightened person should preach, disseminate and applaud it at all places in East-West and North-South directions, is very timely for us who understand Ahimsa. Gandhi also said TRUTH is GOD and Ahimsa is the means to TRUTH.
2. Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism) Anekantvada is the basic attitude of mind which expresses the fundamental principle that reality is complex and it should be seen from different viewpoints.
The word 'Anekanta' can be split up into three parts viz., an, Eka and Anta which means not, one and a side or an end respectively. Etymologically the word Anekanta stands for a many-sided exposition of the nature of reality. Therefore it is implied that it is a statement made keeping in mind the existence of other aspects of the reality as well rather than insisting on one view point as the complete knowledge of the reality. This is the reason why it is designated as Anekanta or non-one-sidedness. In a different language it is also interpreted as versatility of aspects or versatility of viewpoints.
Gandhi & Jainism
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