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3.1 Spiritual practice of Non-violence Non-violence is practiced in Jainism is primarily for self (internal which is eliminating or avoiding attachment and aversion) as well as for others (not giving pain to others). Causing pain to one's own self is even violence and is to be avoided. Jains say the attachment is the root cause of transmigration and all pains associated. As Jain path of spiritual purification is called the science of detachment, so internal Non-violence can be equated to equanimity or detachment; the fundamental requirement of eliminating attachment. It can be termed as having no attraction even towards one's body or to have equal attachment with every living being. Actually internal Ahimsā is not possible without developing equanimity to all. In Jain terminology, the internal Non-violence is from transcendental viewpoint while the external is from practical viewpoint. Internal Non-violence i.e. total abstinence from violence is practiced by ascetics as they withdraw themselves completely from worldly indulgences and spend all their time for spiritual beneficiation.
For the ascetics the essential duties are (Sāmāyika or periodic contemplations of the self, reciting the virtues of the 24 ford-makers; veneration of the holy teachers; visiting the mistakes committed during the day and seek forgiveness and punishment; relaxation i.e. developing a feeling of separateness of body and self; determination to not commit the fault again). Besides the five major (or total observance) vows or mahāvratas, five attitudes of carefulness and three attitudes of restraint along with 27 128 primary attributes and twenty two afflictions to be endured.
For the householders, the six essential duties are worshipping the omniscient, veneration of the holy teachers, Self study, Self restraint), charity, austerities, vowing not to make mistakes or practice. Besides there are minor vows, three enhancing vows and four training
vows.
3.2 Philosophical / ethical practice of Non-violence 10 Jain philosophy says that the inherent nature of soul is to be in its own nature of knowledge and bliss i.e. nobody wants to die or have pain. Being happy or Bliss is the nature of soul and everybody wants to attain this state. If this is so then not killing or not giving pain to anybody is GOOD or moral and the reverse is no GOOD and hence is to be avoided. This is the basis of all moral and ethical postulates of Jainism from the practical viewpoint.
10 Study Notes published on www.isjs.in by International School for Jain Studies New Delhi.
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