Jaina Literature and Philosophy a Critical Approach

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Aspects of Jainology Volume VI
of virtues. In Praśnavyākaraṇasutra the term non-violence is equated with sixty virtuous qualities, just as peace, harmony, welfare, trust, fearlessness, etc17. Thus, nonviolence is a wider term, which comprehends all the good qualities and virtues.
Non-violence is nothing but to treat all living beings as equal. The concept of equality is the core of the theory of non-violence. The observance of non-violence is to honour each and every form of life. Jainism does not discriminate human beings on the basis of their caste, creed and colour. According to Jaina point of view, all the barriers of caste, creed and colour are artificial. All the huamn beings have equal right to lead a peaceful life. Though violence is unavoidable yet it can not be the directive principle of our living. Because it goes against the judgements of our faculty of reasoning and the concept of natural law. If I think that nobody has any right to take my life then on the same ground of reasoning I have also no right to take another's life. The principle, live on others or 'living by killing' is self-contradictory. The principle of equality propounds that every one has the right to live. The directive principle of living is not Living on other' or 'Living by killing' but 'Living with other' or 'Live for others (Parasparopagrahojīvānām). Though, in our worldly life, complete non-violence is not possible yet our motto should be 'Lesser killing is better Living'. Not struggle but cooperation is the law of life. I need other's co-operation for my very existence and so I should also co-operate in other's living.
Further, we must be aware of the fact that in Jainism non-violence is not merely a negative concept i.e. not to kill; but it has positive side also i.e. service to mankind. Once a question was asked to Mahāvīra, 'O Lord, one person is rendering his services to the needy ones while other is offering Puja to you, of these two, who is the real follower because hs is following my teachings"19
The concept of non-violence and the regard for life is accepted by almost all the religions of the world. But Jainism observes it minutely. Jainism prohibits not only killing of human beings and animals but of the vegetable kingdom also. Harming the plants, polluting water and air are also the act of violence or himsā. Because they disturb ecological balance or peace. Its basic principle is that the life, in whatever form it may be, should be respected. We have no right to take another's life. Schweitzer remarks "To maintain, assist or enhance life is good. To destroy, harm or hinder is evil". He further says. "A day may come when
reverence for all life will win universal recognition"20. "The Daśavaikālika mentions that every one wants to live and not to die, as we do, for this simple reason, Niggan thas prohibit violence"21. It can be said that the Jaina concept of non-violence is extremist and non practical, but we cannot challenge its relevance for human society. Though Jainsim sets its goal as the ideal of total non-violence, external as well as internal, yet the realisation of this ideal in practical life is by no means easy. Non-violence is a spiritual ideal, fully realisable only in the spiritual plane. The real life of an individual is a physio-spiritual complex; at this level complete non-violence is not possible. According to Jaina thinkers the violence is of four kinds: (i) deliberate (samkalpi) or aggressive violence i.c. intentional killing (ii) protective violence i.e. the violence which takes place in saving the life of one's own or his fellow being or in order to make peace and ensure justice in the society (iii) occupational i.e. violence which takes place in doing agriculture or in running the factories and industries (iv) and violence, which is involved in performing the daily routine work of house-holder such as bathing, cooking, walking etc. A person can proceed towards the fulness of non-violent life to the extent as he rises above the physical level. The first form of violence, which is deliberate, is to be shunned by all, because it relates to our mental proclivities. So far as the thoughts are concerned, a man is his own master, so it is obligatory for all to be non-violent in this sphere. External circumstance can influence our mind at this level, but they cannot govern us. From the behavioural point of view, deliberate violence is aggressive. It is neither necessary for self-defence nor for the living. So all can avoid it. The other forms of violence, i.e. protective and occupational are inevitable, so far as man is living on a physical level. But this does not mean that the ideal of non-violence is not practicable and so it is not necessary for human race.
The second form of violence is defensive which takes place in the activity of defence. It becomes necessary for the security of one's own life, the life of his fellow beings and the protection of property. External circumstances may compel a person to resort to be violent or to conter attack in defence of his own life or that of his companions or for the protection of his belongings. As those, who are attached to the physical world and has a social obligation to protect others life and property, are unable to dispense with this defensive violence. A person living in family is unable to keep away completely from this type of violence, because