Jaina Path of Ahimsa

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir Research Centre

Page 38

Ahiṁsā-vrata, i.e., The Vow Of "Ahimsā"
of the three ways, krita, kārita and mananāt, is called Ahimsā Anu-vrata by the wise."
Thus, in Ahiṁsā Anuvrata, a layman does not intentionally injure any form of life above the class of one-sensed beings (vegetables and the like), by an act of the mind, speech or body by krita, i.e., by himself, by kārita, i.e. by inciting others to commit such an act, nor by mananāt or anumodana i.e., by approving of it subsequent to its commision by others.
(3) Meditations for Ahimsă-vrata:
With a view to strengthening the feelings of a person in relation to the observance of the Ahiṁsā-vrata, it has been laid down in “Tattvārtha-sūtra” that a person should try to practise the following five Bhāvanas, i..e, Meditations:
1. Vāg-gupti, i.e., preservation of speech, 2. Mano- gupti, i.e., preservation of mind, 3. Īryā, i.e., care in walking, 4. Adāna-nikshepana-samiti, i.e., care in lifting and laying down
things and 5. Ālokitapāna-bhojana, i.e., care in taking meals by thoroughly
seeing to one's food and dirnk.
Obviously these Bhāvanas or meditations encourage cautiousness in the actual observance of Ahiṁsā-vrata.
(4) Transgressions of Ahimsā-vrata :
In addition to inculcating the above Bhāvanas or meditations, a person is also advised to avoid the following five atichāras, i.e., defects or partial transgressions of Ahiṁsā-vrata :
1. Bandha, i.e., keeping in captivity (angrily or carelessly animals
or human beings), 2. Vadha, i.e., beating (angrily or carelessly animals or human
beings), 3. Chheda, i.e., mutilating (angrily or carelessly animals or human
beings), 4. Ati-bhārāropana, i.e., overloading (angrily or carelessly animals
or human beings), and 5. Annapāna-nirodha, i.e., with-holding food or drink (from
animals and human beings angrily and carelessly).