Jain Concept of Peace

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Z_Vijyanandsuri_Swargarohan_Shatabdi_Granth_012023.pdf

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others' or 'living by killing' is self contradictory. The principle of equality propounds that every one has the right to live. The directive principle of living is not 'Living on other' or 'Living by killing' but 'Living with other' or ‘Live for other (Parasparopagrahojivanam). Though in our worldly life, complete non-violence is not possible, yet our motto should be 'Lesser killing is better Living'. Not the struggle but co-operation is the law of life. I need other's co-operation for my very existence and so I should also Co-operate in other's living.
Further, we must be aware of the fact that in Jainism non-violence is not merely a negative concept i.e. not to kill; but it has positive side also as service to mankind. Once a question was raised to Mahavira O Lord, one person is rendering his services to the needy persons while other is offering Puja to you, among these two, who is the real follower of yours, Mahavira answered 'first one is the real follower of mine, because he is following my teachings".
The concept of non-violence and the regard for life is accepted by almost all the religions of the world. But Jainism observes it minutely Jainism prohibits not only killing of human beings and animals but the vegetable kingdom also. Hurting the plants, polluting water and air are also the act of violence or himsa because they disturb ecological balance or peace. Its basic principle is that the life, in whatever form it may be, should be respected, we have no right to take another's life, Schweitzer remarks " To maintain, assist or enhance life is good. To destroy, harm or hinder is evil." He further says " a day may come when reverence for all life will win universal recognition". 20 The Dasavaikalika mentions that "every one wants to live and not to die, as we do, for this simple reason, Nigganthas prohibit violence". It can be said that the Jaina concept of non-violence is extremist and not practical, but we cannot challenge its relevance for human society. Though Jainism sets its goal as the ideal of total non-violence, external as well as internal, yet the realisation of ideal in the practical life is by no means easy. Non-violence is a spiritual ideal, which is fully realisable only in the spiritual plane. The real life of an individual is a physio-spiritual complex; at this level complete non-violence is not possible. According to Jaina thinkers the violence is of four kinds (1) Deliberate (Samkalpi) or aggressive violence i.e. intentional killing (ii) Protective violence i.e. the violence which takes place in saving the life of
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