ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 71

themselves from the ills of eating meat, hunting, consumption of alcohol and exploitation; it seems useless to talk of a bright future and freedom from exploitation of Human Rights. A person who is deeply involved in violent activities cannot think of relieving other of their pains. Hence it is essential to protect the vow of non-violence to an enhance human rights.
Discussion on human rights leads us to talk of non-violence and compassion towards animals. Jain religion stands for equality of all living beings. Since the time of its first tīrathamkara Ādinātha (Rşabhadeva), it has talked and greatly emphasized self-restraint conduct, compassion and pity towards the animal. Late Acharya Mahaprjna in his book, "Jain Dharma”, “Arhat" and "arhataye" writes Human Rights can be a new and unique thought of UNO but even if we consider the preaching Mahāvīra 2500 years ago then all his teachings are abundant in Human Rights.
Description of stationery living beings by Mahāvīra is of great significance. By thinking of stationery living beings, one should feel of the slogan 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakaṁ. As our feeling on these lines progress, our awakening towards equality of living beings of this universe increases. To go further we should develop the same feeling towards material also along with the world of living beings. It is not proper to place non-living things also at inappropriate place as our self-restraint is associated with our restraint towards material objects also. In other words we should not harm air, water, earth, plants and not to pollute them and fire, and should treat them with utmost self-restraint. The basis of Lord Mahāvīra's sermons is 'accepting the existence of others' i.e. 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakaṁ.
While clarifying the basic human values, Umāsvāmi in Tattvāratha-sūtram says 'Parasparopagrahojīvānām i.e. living beings help each other or cooperate for being alive. Here the doctrine of live and let live and the feeling of forgiveness are at the core. This is coexistence. We want to live and so do all living beings, be they small or big. Doctrine of Pañcaśīla is based on the concept of peaceful co-existence. Everybody wants to live peaceful & happily and nobody wants to be unhappy. Hence Jains prohibit killing of living beings. Jain families should protect themselves from ego and deceit and practice the sermons of their tirthamkaras.
6 Tattvāratha-sūtra, V.21
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