________________
Jaina Acara : Siddhanta aura Svarūpa
221
Buddha relates three kinds of good conduct; Arambhika, Madhayama and Mahā. They incorporate non-violence, non-stealing, celibacy and truth as also abstinence from intoxicating drugs, love, compassion, sympathetic joy and indifference which were all emphasized by him.
Samyuktanikaya relates what the Buddha said to the king Prasenajita— "Let your mind wander in all directions, you will find none dearer than you; as you love your life, so others do theirs'. Those who desire their own good never torture others. Develop love for all beings. That all should be happy must be your contemplation. Those who are ruthless are devoid of the basics of religion, Think that you are theirs and they are yours. As such, never kill anybody nor get him killed, because a murderer is confronted with another murderer and a victor with another one. In the past times there were only three diseases in the world; desire, hunger and old age. But when the killing of animals started, ninety-eight new diseases have sprung up."
When the king was ready to perform a violent sacrifices, the Buddha advised him to perform such sacrifice which do not involve the butchering of cows, sheep and the like.
There is no fear of thieves in a house where there are more men than women. There can be no fear where friendliness prevails. The Buddha said in Suttanikaya. "Let all beings, mobile or immobile, big or small, atomic or rotund, seen or unseen, distant or near remain happy. Let them not cheat anybody nor insult others. See all beings as a mother looks at her only son".
Once the Buddha saw some monks beating one another. The Buddha asked them to treat others as not different from them, since punishment and death are troublescme to one and all alike. Once he saw some boys killing a snake. The Buddha said that those who kill others for their pleasure are not happy here and hereafter. The Buddha was too compassionate to see others in distress. He was instrumental in preventing bloodshed on a large scale.
The Jewish religion teaches love and compassion. Its tenets are as follows:
Never hurt others' self-respect. Never insult a person in the preserice of others. To insult him thus is as heinous as to take his life. He who raises his hand to strike another one, he is wicked even though he may not be able to strike for want of courage. If your enemy knocks at your door to kill you and you know him to be hungry and thirsty first feed him and then give him water to drink. Love your neighbour. Never harbour ill-will against anybody. Do not envy others' lot. All are children of the same God. Hence love them all, since to hate them is to despise God. In case your brother or neighbour
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org