Jain Journal 1999 07

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

Page 56

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXIV, No. 1 July 1999
Amitagati, a great Jaina exponent and writer of the famous "Śrāvakācāra" (code of conduct for householder) writes: "Friendliness towards all creatures, respect for the virtuous, compsssion (kindness) towards all creatures in distress and neutrality towards those who are not well-disposed to me. I pray those qualities be bestowed in me."
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The Jaina community has responded well by adopting the above virtues preached by the spiritual teachers. This one crore strong community has taken lot of interest in practising and propagating teachings of non-violence, animal welfare, animal protection and service to the community as a whole. They provide food to the hungry, clothing to the unclad and medical and educational services to the needy. They have opened many goshālās and shelters for the animals.
Observance of Vows
Jainism provides complete guidance for observation of non-violence in day to day life. The practicing of the major and minor vows like truthfulness, non-theft, continence, non-possession etc. make it easy to serve non-violence. Again, there are five observations which strengthen the conduct of non-violence viz. 1. control of speech, 2. control of thoughts, 3. regulation of movement, 4. care in planning and upkeep of things and 5. examining food and drinks before use.
A non-violent person should be full of benevolence towards all living beings. Also he should avoid food and clothing and other requirements which involve the slaughter of animals, fish, birds etc. All kinds of intoxicating drinks are to be avoided. Similarly for earning a living it is necessary to avoid trades like brewing, fishing, and butchering.
Above all, the origin of non-violence is in the attitude of the mind as explained earlier. The mind should be constantly vigilant, careful and considerate. This would help in eschewing the four passions-anger, greed, deceit, and pride. All acts performed by such persons will be free from violence. This has been authoritatively stated in the Daśavaikālika-sūtra. Realising that no space is free from life and any moment in the form of thought, speech and physical action involves some injury to some form of life, the question was naturally asked:
"How should one walk, stand, sit, sleep, eat and speak, so that the sinful karmic bondage may not accrue (to the soul)."
Lord Mahāvīra replied
"With vigilance one should walk, stand, sit, sleep, eat and talk (thus) sinful karmic bondage shall not accrue to the soul."