ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

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

Page 80

INTERNATIO
SCHOOL
OF
KI
SELF STUDY IS THE
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
SUPREME AUSTERITY
स्वाध्याय परम तप
IN STUDIES
humans to give in harmonious co-existence with other life-forms on this planet and importance of compassion for such occurrence, it would be important and beneficial to investigate samyagdarśana phenomenon with its kinds and limbs, so that humans can further develop non harming aspect of their nature.
Our own happiness and well being is linked to our treatment of all living beings. Samyagdarśana provides the insights into the reality of our non-harming nature represented by sama or prasama, the first characteristics of samyagdarśana. Regarding anukampa, the compassion, the logical questions arise:
How can someone love another being and at the same time be willing to kill that being?
How can someone possess the capacity to love and happiness and also the capacity to kill? The current animal rights movements has primarily been focusing on the treatment of certain nonhumans discussing upon the characteristics that animals have in common with humans. Based on this ethical philosophical standpoint each living being should receive the same moral treatment as that advocated for humans, that is equal concern, care and consideration. Thus the thrust has been on presenting a greater understanding of what is know as the 'other'. Service to other is service to self and others, service to individual and universe.
Why does the sight or thought of other's suffering (animal suffering etc.) provoke a strong reaction to assist them in some people and little or no reaction in others?
Why do some people attempt not to harm any living being while other people do not hesitate to exploit and kill non humans if they desire so?
Why people change from harming to no harming?
It is because of manifestation of inherent attribute 'anukampa. It is the self that enables the development of such benevolent behavior. Some may say this change is a subject matter of psychology and sociology. Yet the philosophy of self also involves these questions. If someone professes to love animal, one cannot kill and eat them or satisfy fashion desire like using promoting use of animals for testing cosmetics, encouraging use of silk, leather etc. Knowledge & practice of anukampa can resolve the contradiction of love and killing, overcoming the emotional love by anukampa, the compassion.
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