ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 207

SCHOOL
TIONAL
OF
TAN STUDIES
SELF STUDY IS THE
SUPREME AUSTERITY,
He defined himsā as giving pain (to one's own self or others) or asking others to do so or admiring those who do so (by mind or speech or body singly or by all of them). Absence of himsa is Ahimsā.
Acarya Amrtacandra16 analyzes and explains the entire gamut of Jain ethics as derivatives of non-violence. The example of the person who wants to throw fire on others to burn them has to first burn his hand. Besides, he makes an enemy in the other persons who wish to take revenge all the time. For food, the concept of Ahimsa (extreme type of vegetarianism for monks) is explained beautifully in the following verse
Like the bumblebee, who takes the nectar from different flowers in different gardens without hurting or causing damage to the flower; so should the saint take his food from householders?17
16 Puruṣārthasidhyupāyā, verse 173
17 Jahā dumassa pupphesu, bhamaro āviyai rasam/
Na ya pupfam kilämei, so ya pinei papayall Daśavaikālikasūtra, verse 2
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0