Humanism of Haribhadra

Author(s): Christian Lindtner
Publisher: Z_Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_1_002105.pdf and Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_2

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The Humanism of Haribhadra
2. When a person causes harm [to someone] with the intention of causing damage to his body, he says, due to his wretchedness: "I am going to kill!". Such violence has a cause !
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When, due to causal necessity, there is a maturation of the karma [accumulated from killing the victim that had] to be killed, then the killer will be responsible for his deed. It [namely violence] will be evil, for it is the result of an evil [intention on his part].
So, by abstention from what, according to the good teaching, is impure karma, one can, alas, stop such [violence] simply by always having good intentions!
Such non-violence is considered fundamental for producing heaven and freedom. In order to take good care of this [namely non-violence], it is reasonable that one protects truth, etc.
So the [soul] is proved to be permanent amd (impermanent], etc., because it can remember, recognize, and because it can touch and feel the body. It is also [considered to be permanent and impermanent, etc.] because it is established to be so by cornmon opinion.
Assuming the [soul] has the size of the body, and that it has attributes such as contraction, etc., then, due to good karma, it can go upwards [to good rebirth], etc. So everything is exactly as it should be!
With a good mind this should be considered by a man whose soul is impartial. It simply must be understood. For good men there is no other valid interpretation [of the soul] !
XVII. Eight Verses Reprehending the Enjoyment of Meat
[An opponent], too much of a disputant, says that a good man is allowed to enjoy meat, as he may [enjoy] rice, etc., for meat is only a small part of a living being.
Reply: Since the decision about what one may and may not eat actually entirely depends on the scriptures and on [what] mankind in general accepts, therefore this [opinion] is improper.
According to these [sources] one may consume one part of a living being, but not certain other parts. From this point of view it is all right [to consume] e.g. the good milk [but not the] blood of a cow etc.