Jaina Path of Ahimsa

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

Page 77

The Jaina Path Of Ahinisā
that is, “The two precepts of scriptures which contain the very essence of religion are : to share meals with persons afflicted with hunger and to protect all living beings.” In the same strain Acharya Amitagati, the renowned author, in his book “Sravakāchāra” has praised the utmost importance of Ahāra-Dāna as follows:
केवलज्ञानतो ज्ञानं निर्वाणसुखत: सुखम्। 3ITERGANT GRI TIH PET RH 11 25
that is, "there is no knowledge better than ‘Kevala-Jñāna', i.e., omniscient knowledge, no happiness better than happiness secured from "Nirvāṇa', i..e, liberation of soul, and no, gift better than
Ahāra-Dānu', i.e., gift of food.” On the same lines, the Jaina scriptures have greatly valued the other three gifts of medicines, schelter and knowledge to all living beings with a view to take practical steps to ameliorate the miserable conditions of afflicted living beings including insects, birds, animals and men.
Further, this positive humanitarian approach to lessen the miseries of living beings was also included in another significant manifestation of Ahirsā in the fifth main vow of the householders, viz., the vow of Aparigraha, i.e., abstention from greed of worldly possessions. It is obvious that this greed is a form of Himsā, i.e., injury and as such it has to be consistently avoided by all persons as a part of the observance of Ahiṁsā in the different fields of activities in actual life. Aparigraha-vrata also involves avoiding the fault of Parigraha which consists in desiring more than what is needed by an individual. Accumulating even necessary articles in large numbers, expressing wonder at the prosperity of others, excessive greed and changing the proportions of existing possessions are all forms of Parigraha, i.e., worldly attachments. This vow aims at putting a limit on the worldly possessions by individuals according to their needs and desires. That is why this vow of Aparigraha is many times termed as Parigraha-Parimāna-Vrata, i.e., the vow to limit one's worldly possessions. In accordance with this vow a householder is required to fix, beforehand, the limit of his maximum belongings, and he has, in no case, to exceed it. If he ever happens to earn more than the pre-determined limit, he is required to spend it away in "Chaturvidha-Dāna”, i.e., four-fold charities popularly known as 'Ahāra-abhaya-bhaishajya-Sāstra-Dana', i.e., giving food to the hungry and the poor, saving the lives of creatures in danger, distribution of medicines and spread of knowledge.