ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

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

Page 227

3.1.1 Detachment The core of non-violence is detachment and compassion. Compassion does not consist in fulfilling the demands of the flesh but in inspiring one to get rid of demands of flesh. Attachment is suicidal for the aspirant. All behavior of a Jaina monk regarding movement, speech, handling of things, food, and even thinking is regulated by this one spiritual value of detachment. Non-violence implies strict vigilance. In the scripture it is mentioned that when a straw was placed in the ear of a sleeping monk Āryadeva, he removed it so carefully that if it were not a straw, but a worm, it would not be hurt. He did it very gently.
3.1.2 The Scope of Non-Violence (Ahimsā) It is said that of all the vows the Jaina attached the greatest importance to non-violence. Non-violence is not a philosophy of inactivity but a philosophy, which values the life of all and does not like interfering in the freedom of any living being. It goes beyond mere humanitarian but encompasses the whole nature. Today when we are worried about environment, the Jaina concept of non-violence becomes very relevant because it preaches non-disturbance of the balance of nature. For Jainism, nature is not something that can be handled in any way; it is rather throbbing with life and has to be handled with kindness. Jainism has also analyzed the causes of violence. In fact, the cause of all sins lies in our passions, which include anger, greed hypocrisy and pride. It is not that the Jaina monk gives up all activities; he gives up only violent activities. Of course, he practices Ahimsā to the last degree and therefore, his activities become very much restricted. But his spiritual activities extend to the largest degree possible. When we look at non-violence from social point of view the Jaina concept of non-violence may appear to be incomplete. The Jaina monk, for example will not resort to violence even if he is attacked. The social being, on the other hand, would like to reserve the right of self-defense. We have to understand that since a monk has given himself to absolute spiritualism; even defense of his own body at the cost of spiritualism is not advisable for him. His vow of non-violence is unconditional. He will not only be kind to those who are kind to him, but also to those who are unkind to him also. He can do so because he is so much engrossed in the spiritual bliss of his inner self that physical miseries do not move him. He avoids violence mentally, physically and vocally. He also avoids inspiring others to commit violence and if somebody has committed violence he avoids approving of it.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0