Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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to usurp other's property all fall in the category of himsā. All these acts are unworthy of doing and we should all refrain form them.
Jains believe in the principle of 'Live and let live'. One should live and exist himself and should not become a hindrance in the life and existence of others also. Jain holy texts says 'treat others as you wish to be treated yourself. Do not treat others in a way you do not want to be treated yourself.'
jm icdaṁti appņto jm cņ icchsi appņeto tṁ icchỉ painrssavi mņ ettisaggam jiņa sņsayaṁ40
Similarly Jain philosophy describes the liberty as human right in crisp manner. A person will experience his liberation only when there is a treatment of equality to all and equal opportunity is available to everyone. Jains considers all soul to be equal or similar. Thus all living beings and human beings are equal. All have the attributes of knowledge, intuition and
ir manifestation 41 Therefore it is said 'Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself'. To maintain equanimity and balance towards all is a different form of samatā /equality. Human rights are similar to the concept of equanimity in conduct of Jains. 'Sarva satveșu hi samatā asrva carānānam paramaṁ carane" i.e. conduct based on equanimity towards all is the supreme conduct of all types of conduct. Jain philosophy says that a person is said to be with conduct who observes equanimity towards all. Where friendship towards all living beings (mitti me sarva bhutesu) is the basis of Ahiṁsā, there is a feeling of equanimity towards all living beings is the basis of equality. Ahiṁsā is the supreme religion and to be kind to others is to be kind with one also.
Doctrine of human rights is associated with Jain principle of Ahiṁsā, Anekānta (multiplicity of viewpoints), equanimity, non possession and conditional-dialectic. It is only Ahiṁsā which includes all aspects of human rights such as personal liberty, freedom to live-to be born anywhere, freedom for self-consciousness and its realization, freedom from being exploited, freedom from being inflicted with pain etc and doctrine of equality is equanimity of Jains.
40 Brahat kalpa Bhāsya 41 Kārtikeyānupreksha verse 241
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
