Jain Journal 2001 07

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

Page 45

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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXVI, No. 1 July 2001
olves.
being is the quintessence of all wisdom. Certainly, one has to understand that non-violence and equality of all living beings are essentials of Dharma." In Jainism non-violence is the pivot on which its whole ethics revolves. Non-violence is not a single virtue, but it is a combination of all virtues. Lord Mahāvīra says that non-violence is equated with sixty virtuous qualities like peace, harmony, welfare, trust, fearlessness etc.9 Jainism believes in the principle of “Live and Let live".
LOTO alities
Today when we see cruelties on animals on a large scale in mechanical slaughter-houses and the use of animals for leather products, in food industries, in producing medicines, in cosmetics and so on, we can understand how important it is to adhere to nonviolence so as to save the life on this planet. The extensive development of meat Industries has brought environmental degradation on a large scale and to-day environmentalists are worried about how to stop it to make life of people healthy and happy.
Recognising that total adherence to the strictest form of nonviolence is impractical for a house holder, Jaina preachers have drawn a distinction between violent activities totally forbidden and those which may be tolerated within strict guidelines. From this stand point, violence has been classified into the following four categories :
1. Deliberate or aggressive violence i.e. intentional killing. 2. Protective violence resulting in opposing attack on one's lise,
property or country. 3. Occupational violence resulting in Industrial or Agricultural
activity of the individuals for earning their livelihood. 4. Unintentional but indirect injury to living beings from acts
necessary for normal life like cooking or cleaning etc. The saints or nuns abjure all the four types, but the layman can renounce only the first type, while he has to indulge in the other three categories, but after observing proper vigilance.
The positive side of non-violence is as important as the negative side, but this is sometimes not fully appreciated. The positive side implies kindness, forgiveness, charity and service. This has been beautifully explained in a verse by the renowned Acārya Amitagati of the lith century. A.D. as follows: "Friendship towards all beings, respect for the qualifies of virtuous people, utmost compassion for the
8. 9.
Sūtrakstānga-sūtra, 1.11.10. Praśnavyākarana-sutra, 2.1.21.