Jain Journal 2014 07

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

Page 12

Dr. Dulichand Jain : Karuna and the Significance of its Social Implementation
13
spect for another. It teaches us that just as my life is precious to me, another person's life is precious to him too.
So Mahāvīra stressed on "reverence for all life". The life is every being is sacred and must be respected. He said,
सब्बे पाणा पियाउया, सुहसाया दुक्खपडिकूला ।
अप्पियवहा पियजीविणो, जीविउकामा सव्वेसिं जीवियंपियं । । (Ref. No. 1)
i.e. "All living beings are fond of life, they relish pleasure, loath misery, disfavour injury, wish for longevity and long for survival. In short, life is dear to all."
Such compassion for every from of life, human and non-human, from the single sensed creatures to the five-sensed creatures, lies at the heart of Jainism. Life is precious and to kill any being, be it an innocent bee or a serial killer, is considered abhorrent.
No wonder then, the great seer declared compassion to be the mother of religion. He said.
सव्वेहिं भूएहिं दयाणुकंपी, खंतिक्खमे संजयबंभ यारी। (Ref. No. 2)
i. e. A true monk should have compassion on all beings, he should be of a forbearing nature, restrained and chaste.
He further said,
कोडिकल्लाणजणणी दुःखदुरियाखिग्ग निवणी ।
संसार जलहिततरणी, एकाचिय होइ जीवदया ।। (Ref. No. 3 )
i. e. "Compassion gives millions of benefits; all troubles, sins and enemies are destroyed by it just as a boat which can take us across this worldly ocean."
It is in a paralled vein that the great scientist Albert Einstein stated, "Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty".
Thus, the need of the hour is for 'HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMME'. As Yehudi Menuhin asked with his uncanny perception,."Why is compassion not part of our established curriculum,