Jain Legend Vol 3

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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Brief introduction of the real nature of rama a tradition
Jain religion means the path of beneficence and true peace for all living beings. Literal meaning of dharma / religion is an entity or code of conduct which protects all living beings from drowning in the ocean of birth-death-birth with associated pains and miseries. The religion propagated by totally detached, omniscient and omnipresent Jinendra Deva is called Jainism.
The true nature of religion had been described by Lord Mah v ra after he attained pure intuition and pure knowledge, became a T rthamkara and established the four fold congregation of followers as, 'I say that all the Arihantas or omniscient of the past, present and who are likely to become so in future, promulgate and propagate the following religion':
'All living beings, be they with one sense i.e. have air/water/earth/ fire or vegetation as their bodies or mobile living beings i.e. with two to five sense organs, should not be slain, nor should be ordered to be slain. Further they should not be forcibly enslaved, not tortured, and should not be attacked lethally'.
This non violence based religion is true, pure and eternal religion as indicated by those who know the suffering of all living beings, be they one sensed immobile (i.e. earth, air, water, fire or vegetation bodied) or mobile beings (two to five sensed living beings all grouped as
adj vanik ya in Jainism. An ancient and true saying is, “Those people; who are keen to learn the sermons or even to do so, either present or absent, knowledgeable or ignorant of the punishments of mind, body and speech; should always listen to this non violence based religion as this is the true path of attaining liberation. The supreme and undisputable nature of the religion based on non violence has thus been described this way".
Lord Mah v ra has clearly said in cr mga S tra “Violence, regardless of its being committed for livelihood, enjoyment, religion or even to get rid of the pains associated with birth, old age or death i.e. to attain liberation, is always harmful and is the cause of ignorance (lack of knowledge)".Unlike the Vedic tradition which does not consider animal sacrifice for religion as violence; Jainism does not consider so. In Jain scriptures it has been clearly said that, 'If some extraordinary power had to be used for the protection of the congregation, then the same should be
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