Jain Digest 2015 06

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 15

JAIN DIGEST
others' viewpoints without prejudice, and by implementing the principles of Ahimsa, Anekant, and Aparigrah in day to day life.
Thousands of scientists are pre-occupied in the research and invention of destructive weapons. Soldiers are undergoing training for staging wars. Brain washed suicide bombers are ready to ignite terrorism all around the globe. Unfortunate natural calamities are adding to the climate of panic and uncertainty in every walk of life. All this is the dreadful fruition of man's false ego, anger, hatred, endless desires, selfishness, and the desire for sensual pleasures.
Under such circumstances, Ahimsa motivates us to overcome the unscrupulous. Ahimsa is to Himsa, just as light is to darkness, nectar is to poison, and life is to death. If all individuals practiced eradication of ill wishes, we would be living in a Utopian society. Ahimsa is the key foundation to build a healthy society where all lives have equal rights to live peacefully. Ahimsa is a focal point in the development of a human being.
The importance of Non-Violence has existed in the past and present, and will continue to exist in the future. It is a global solution to global problems. The thought-provoking message of Bhagwan Mahavir: "Savve Jiva vi icchanti jivium na marijjhium” says that every creature wants to live; nobody wants to die. It awakens the consciousness of personal security and environmental protection. Intentional protection of water beings, air beings, fire beings, earth beings, and plant beings is actually an act of protecting our own selves. This is because a single hole anywhere in the globe can affect us in another corner and make us feel insecure. The above goal can be achieved by training our brain to observe the following guidelines:
• Minimizing our material and non-material wants and desires. • Setting limits to our needs. • Quitting the 'use and discard' culture.
Stopping the process of deforestation. • Being conscious of the usage of water, fire, and electricity at all times. • Strengthening our will power for controlling our senses, emotions, character, and food habits.
Consumption of meats, eggs, and alcohol must be strictly avoided. Consumption of these animal proteins leads to health disorders of the kidney, liver, heart, and the digestive tract, and becomes a cause of cancer and other grave illnesses. Thus, it is important to awaken the spirit of nonviolent consciousness.
Behavioral Training provides ample opportunities for Ahimsa to work. It constitutes the development of deep compassion, love, friendliness, a spirit of brotherhood and service to all. It prepares the mind for separation from harming, killing, deceiving, cheating or any other negative activity. It can reform human relations by the application of small but powerful formulas such as, 'let go', 'no problem', 'whatever happens, happens for the good', 'I will be careful next time'. These slogans promote peace and harmony in family, social and
151 MAY-JUN 2015