ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 251

How can someone possess the capacity to love and happiness and also the capacity to kill? The current animal rights movements has primarily been focusing on the treatment of certain nonhumans discussing upon the characteristics that animals have in common with humans. Based on this ethical philosophical standpoint each living being should receive the same moral treatment as that advocated for humans, that is equal concern, care and consideration. Thus the thrust has been on presenting a greater understanding of what is know as the 'other'. Service to other is service to self and others, service to individual and universe.
Why does the sight or thought of other's suffering (animal suffering etc.) provoke a strong reaction to assist them in some people and little or no reaction in others?
Why do some people attempt not to harm any living being while other people do not hesitate to exploit and kill non humans if they desire so?
Why people change from harming to no harming?
It is because of manifestation of inherent attribute 'anukamp! It is the self that enables the development of such benevolent behavior. Some may say this change is a subject matter of psychology and sociology. Yet the philosophy of self also involves these questions. If someone professes to love animal, one cannot kill and eat them or satisfy fashion desire like using promoting use of animals for testing cosmetics, encouraging use of silk, leather etc. Knowledge & practice of anukamp can resolve the contradiction of love and killing, overcoming the emotional love by anukamp, the compassion.
The question is 'is anukamp possible?' The answer is yes; it is not only possible but it is found to be the expression of fundamental nature of human in their ideal state, perfect state.
Emotions are subject to change often depending upon ever changing situations and circumstances. Anukamp is an attribute of self or soul, this knowledge and reason can overcome the emotional terrorism and hatred.
Concern for other life forms is the underlying principle of anukamp Anukamp is an expression of permanent pure soul, which implies consistency, and sustained impartiality overtime. This anukamp is natural not conditional, and represents pure soul, it cannot change in hatred or disliking.
Lack of energy or fatigue may affect emotions, anger, hatred may manifest in place of love but anukamp is not subjective, it is universal and based on self-control, it cannot cause destruction, pain, and suffering. Hatred and happiness cannot live together. Happiness out of compassion is an attribute of soul; it does not include killing, harming and hatred.
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0