________________
Ahimsă in Pārsi religion: Founder of this religion is Jarasthu. Their main holy text is called Avestā. Avestā talks of three primary duties of all mankind namely: 1. To make your enemy your friend. 2. To convert a devil into a man. 3. To make ignorant knowledgeable.
Indisputably it is true that only non violence, good will and love can true an enemy into a friend. If we harbor ill will towards our enemy or indulge in violent acts towards him, then we cannot generate friendship in his heart. Only ahiṁsā can cultivate goodwill. Therefore keep the good the good thoughts coming to your mind. Pārsis emphasize charity and other similar virtues which are in some form ahiṁsā only.
Ahimsa in Buddhism: Buddhism had been an important religion of India. It originated from India and spread in different parts of the world. Buddhism stresses ahimsā primarily. Most of the holy texts of Buddhism emphasize ahiṁsā. They define ahiṁsā as neither to cause himself pain to any other living being by activities of mind, body and speech nor by asking others to cause pain to anyone. This is stated in Dhamma Pada (25,9-10). Not only to gross living beings, has it even prohibited causing pain to vegetation kingdom. This is stated in Vinay Pițak and Rāhul Sānsstyāyan (P200).
While delivering sermons to his monks, Buddha talks about three types of moral ethical practices namely for beginners, for medium category and for serious and advanced practitioners of religion. These are important and essential for all monks. Ahiṁsā, nonstealing, celibacy, not telling the lies, and not to consume toxic substances are included in these moral ethical practices.
Ahirsă in Sikhism: This religion also originated in India. Extracting the important doctrines of all Indian religion, Guru Nānak Dev established Sikhism. He said 'One who causes good of all its great. Practicing this impossible without being ahimsāk. Practice of ahiṁsā results in growth and extension of love all. Without love one cannot achieve access to god'. After the meaning gurūs of Sikhs also propagated the same doctrine which is enshrined in their holy text 'Gurüvāni'. Sikhism talks of four old moral-ethical practices namely karma märga, yoga mārga, jnana mārga and bhakti mārga. Further Sikhism considers tolerating cruelty as hiṁsā
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Page 247 of 273
