ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 78

With the soul tainted with passion, the activities of mind /body /speech which cause killing/ pain/ tormenting to the psychic or matter life-vitalities (prāņas) of an individual (self or any other living being) result in violence10.
So annihilating /controlling the feeling of attachment are in fact non-violence.11 This implies practicing EQUANIMITY towards all.
Thus Jainism has become synonymous with Ahiṁsā and Jaina religion is considered as the religion of Ahiṁsā. The social significance of this principle of Ahimsā could be evident from the important facts and changes which took place in the cultural history of India from the time of Lord Mahāvīra to the present day. 12
1.2
Ahimsă in other religions of the world
The Chándogya Upanişad, one of the principal scriptures of Hinduism that dates to the 8th or 7th century BCE, bars violence against "all creatures" (sarva-bhūta) and establishes nonviolence as a code of conduct for Hindus. Mahābhārata talks of Ahiṁsā Paramo-dharmah13
Buddhist principle of mettă, or loving-kindness towards all beings
Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus urges his followers to "love thine enemy14 Prior to this the doctrine was eye for eye which was refuted by Jesus in this sermon.
10 jīvakrtam pariņāmam nimittamātram prapadhya punaranyel
svayameva parinamante-tra pudgalāḥ karmabhāvem/l Purusärthasidhyupāya , verse 12 11 Aprādubhāvah khalu rāgādinām bhatyahimseti'
tesāmevotpattihimseti jināgamasya saṁksepall Purusārthasidhyupāya, verse 44 12 It is, therefore, contended that the moral behaviour of persons would definitely improve by the regular observance of these twelve vows with the avoidance of faults attached to them. In this regard it is pointed out by Shri. A. B. Latthe in his book 'An introduction to Jainism published in 1905 A. D' that the proportion of Jail-going population is a good has given his conclusion that, that the rate of criminality among the Jainas is much less and that this comparatively low frequency of incidence of crime and highest in morality among Jainas can be attributed to the rules of Right Conduct based on the principle of Ahimsā as laid down by Jaina religion. 13 Mahābārata Adiparva- 11/13 14 The phrase originates from the Sermon of the Mount in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Mathew, an alternative for "an eye for an eye" is given by Jesus: 38-42: Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also; And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Page 65 of 273