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In Jainism and in Buddhism, this concept of "others" extends beyond the human realm to animals and in the case of Jainism to plants and insects. Non-violence
requires a careful consideration of how one's actions affect not only the human order.
his experience of the inner light. An alcoholic, having seen the harm caused by drinking, seeks others to support his or her sobriety. Each of these individuals will most likely take great care not to offend others, to apologize for wrong-doings, and to ask for forgiveness. The Jain tradition of Paryusan includes contacting all one's friends and relatives asking pardon for any wrong committed, intentionally or unintentionally.
A renewed sense of connectivity with others arises as one enters into the spiritual journey. For Jains, this requires care in all inter-personal and animal relationships, to be enacted through adherence to the vows of nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing, sexual restraint, and nonpossession. Quakers seek counsel from one another when making decisions and adhere to nonviolent pacifism. Their resolve to end slavery and their work for the liberation of women changed the course of history. Buddhists emphasize the importance of community (sangha) and of individual effort and responsibility. Similarly, an important part of the recovery system followed by members of Alcoholics Anonymous entails daily contact by phone with a friend in recovery, weekly meetings, and diligence in making amends for past bad behavior.
gathering people in silence, and enduring long bouts in prison for his beliefs came about after his experience of the inner light. An alcoholic, having seen the harm caused by drinking, seeks others to support his or her sobriety. Each of these individuals will most likely take great care not to offend others, to apologize for wrong-doings, and to ask for forgiveness. The Jain tradition of Paryusan includes contacting all one's friends and relatives asking pardon for any wrong committed, intentionally or unintentionally.
A renewed sense of connectivity with others arises as one enters into the spiritual journey. For Jains, this requires care in all inter-personal and animal relationships, to be enacted through adherence to the vows of nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing, sexual restraint, and nonpossession. Quakers seek counsel from one another when making decisions and adhere to nonviolent pacifism. Their resolve to end slavery and their work for the liberation of women changed the course of history. Buddhists emphasize the importance of community (sangha) and of individual effort and responsibility. Similarly, an important part of the recovery system followed by members of Alcoholics Anonymous entails daily contact by phone with a friend in recovery, weekly meetings, and diligence in making amends for past bad behavior.
The sense of community and personal responsibility in these traditions leads. to the development of not only a normative ethics that may be universally applied, but it also leads in many cases to the cultivation of a personal ethics in keeping with one's individual tastes and inclinations. All these systems would agree to the principle of the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. In Jainism and in Buddhism, this concept of "others" extends beyond the human realm to animals and in the case of Jainism to plants and insects. Non-violence requires a careful consideration of how one's actions affect not only the human order. In traditional Jainism,
14th Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
Jain Education International
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