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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________________
SCHOOL
TIONAL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE
SUPREME AUSTERITY,
राष
STUDIES
"I renounce all killing (included hurting) of living beings, whether subtle or gross, whether movable or immovable. Neither shall I myself kill (not hurt) living beings, nor cause others to do it, nor consent to it".?
Anuvrata for Ahimsa (mainly for laity)
"I renounce all intentional killing (including hurting) of gross (mobile) living beings. Neither shall I myself kill (nor hurt) living beings nor cause others to o it".
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Apart from being both positive and negative, Ahimsa is a comprehensive concept from another angel as well. Ahimsa does not mean mere absence of physical violence. It is also a psychic phenomenon. Ahimsa has to be practiced at levels of "mana" (thought) "vacana (speech) and "kāya' (body). In fact the basis of violence is "Bhāva" (thought and feeling). There is a possibility that there may be no Himsa (Violence) even if there is physical harm, as in case of the death of a patient in an operation in the absence of the intent to kill. On the other hand, even without physical violence, an adverse or unwholesome thought may be tantamount to violence.
Jainism has extend the idea of culpability regarding violence to a situation where the person has abetted pr approved the harm or killing. No loophole is left out. This approach adds to the fullness of the concept of Ahimsā.
According to Jainism, the concept and practice of Ahimsa transcends the human beings and covers even the smallest of the creatures. All life is sacred and as such cannot be tortured, maimed, or destroyed and instead has to be respected. This is a unique feature that further enlarges the range and intensity of this idea and conduct of Ahimsā.
Mahāvīra also emphasized friendship (maitriormitty) with all the beings at all levels over the entire universe. He said, "May I be the friend of all beings. Further I should not harbor any illwill with any being anywhere" (Pratikramana Sutra/Avasyaka Sutra). Friendship is nothing but the positive aspect of Ahimsa. Maitri and Ahimsa are two sides of the same coin.
1Āvasyaka-sutra, leaves 661-662
Upāśakadaśānga-sutra - 1/13 and Ratnakaranda-śrāvakācāra-53
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
