ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 59

SCHOOL
TIONAL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY,
स्वाध्याय तपः
STUDIES
ordinary he might be. In fact, to obtain positive results, even though insignificant, one has to think of the application of Ahimsa in day-to-day life of common man.
The root cause of all violence is invariably to be sited in the mind of the smallest component of human society, an individual. It is at this level that proper education and ensuring action is required.
3.1 Ahimsa at individual level
Individuals would have to truly and sincerely practice Ahimsa in their daily life. With personal commitment to Ahimsa and personal transformation of individual, the real remedy to violence could be found. One of the major problems with many of the protest groups, trying to fight against violence at national and international levels, is that personally they are not nonviolent. One of the reasons why Gandhiji also could not succeed many a time was that a large number of his followers advocated non-violence at the social level but did not practice non-violence at the personal level.
Mahāvīra realized this during his time and stressed upon reformation of the individual and prescribed a detailed code of conduct of good and peaceful behavior. Mahatma Gandhi also emphasized it and made the individual mind as his focus of address and action.
Even at the expense of repetition, it needs to be stated that the violence at the level of the nation-states or community is not a matter of unconcern but if we only talk of that and ignore Ahimsa at the individual level, we are unlikely to obtain positive results.
There could be many practical and concrete steps to promote harmony peace and Ahimsā. Some of the suggestions in these regards are mentioned below.
As a primary step, human welfare projects should be planned at individual, social national or international levels. It does not matter if these projects are small. If they are bigger and serve larger number of people, the effort is equally welcome. The quality and intent of service is even more important. Such projects should first take care of the basic needs including those of water, food, housing, education and medicine. Generally when somebody is fed or given water or treated, his immediate response is one of happiness and gratitude. The spontaneous smile on his face is self-expressive and touching. A new type and level of
Page 46 of 273
STUDY NOTES version 5.0