Jain Journal 1990 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 18

The Doctrine of Ahimsa
AJIT PRASAD
The Doctrine of Ahimsa has been universally accepted as a basic principle of all religions.
Gautama Buddha, has been called the Lord of Compassion. The Allah of the Muslims is called Al Rahman and Al Raheem the Benificent, and the Merciful. Dayalu, Kripalu, are the names given to God by the Hindus. “Thou shalt not kill” is one of the ten commandments in the Holy Bible. Sage Tulsi Das, the immortal author of the Rāmāyaṇa, says:
dayā dharm kā mül hai pâp mül abhiman tulsi dayā na chodiye jab tak ghat me pran
“Compassion is the root of religion, pride the root of sin. Do not give up compassion, O Tulsi, as long as breath is within you.”
The great Rsi Veda Vyasa exclaims :
astādaśapurānesu vyāsasya vacanadvayam paropakara hi punyāya päpāya parapidanam
"All the eighteen Puranas have been condensed by Vyasa in two phrases. The good of others leads to religious merit, causing pain to others is sin."
Mahatma Gandhi in Young India dated the 6th August 1931, says that “in trying to enforce in one's life the central teaching of the Gitā, one is bound to follow Truth and Ahimsa. Perfect renunciation is impossible without perfect observance of Ahimsa in every shape and form.”
Through the successful efforts of Mahatma Gandhi in making nonviolence in word, thought, and deed, the basis of all struggle for political liberty, freedom, and self-government the word Ahimsā has acquired a world-wide recognition. An Ahimsa League has been established in London with branches elsewhere. A world conference is being convened to devise means to stop war; which is against the basic principles of all