Book Title: JAINA Convention 2017 07 Edison NJ
Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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Page 112
________________ ਡੀ ਡੀ ਵੀ ਡੀ ਵੀ ਡੀ ਵੀ ਡੀ JAINA CONVENTION 2017 ਵੀ ਡੀ ਵੀ ਡੀ Ahimsa by commission and approval also comes into the category of vocal or mental Ahimsa. In a way, we can state that mental Ahimsa is a more extensive ethical principle than vocal Ahimsa, because the spoken word is only an expression of thought. Action is also an expression of thought. J.L. Jaini illustrates mental Ahimsa in the following way: "A true Jaina will do nothing to hurt the feelings of another person, man, woman or child nor will he violate the principles of Jainism.3 There are sixty words for Ahimsa in Jaina Scripture4 which emphasizes different connotations of Ahimsa. Self is eternal; hence what we kill is prāna which consists of five sense organs, mind, and speech, three powers of body, breathing and life-span. This is known as dravya-himsa. But bhava-himsa is mental which is due to lethargy (Pramāda). The basis of Non-violence is reverence for life. Non-violence does well to all.5 Ahimsa is compounded of 4 elements Friendliness- (Maitri) Feeling glad at the sight of virtuous-(Pramod) Compassion for those who are in misery-(Karunā) Equanimity to those who are without virtue-(Madhyastha) "That which includes kindness to all creatures is Religion". Religion is that which sustains and preserves life. Ahimsa implies purity of thought, word, and deed. Mahavir proclaimed "There are no quality of soul more subtle than Non-violence and no virtue of spirit greater than reverence for life." Jainism believes that all living beings have the capacity to feel and experience pain and pleasure in differing degrees. Jainism includes humans, animals, plants, water as well as air, fire and earth as living beings. It not only includes five-sensed beings but also one-sensed beings. According to Jainism, all the sentient creatures that can feel have life. The man must show reverence for all living organisms and thus achieve harmonious co-existence. Each organism depends on another and this is the way the survival of each can be ensured and existence of each be respected. The stress is upon the indisputable principle of mutual harmony i.e. symbiosis-mutualism which emphasized the basic unity of nature. "Underlying the Jaina code of conduct is emphatic assertion of Individual's responsibility towards one and all. The code is profoundly ecological in its practical consequences." 7. The directive principle of living is not 'Living on others' but living with others'. Jainism asks us to recognize biodiversity. Our existence is intrinsically bound up with existence of other living beings. Hence the killing of them is prohibited. 20% 30 30% 329

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