Jaina Path of Ahimsa

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

Page 88

Social Significance Of Ahimsa
श्रूयते सर्वशास्त्रेषु सर्वेषु समयेषु च । अहिंसालक्षणो धर्मः तद्विपक्षश्च पातकम् ॥ 31
तप:
श्रुत - यम ज्ञान ध्यान दानादिकर्मणां ।
सत्य - शील- व्रतादीनाम् अहिंसा जननी मता ॥ 42
-
that is, "in all kinds of scriptures Ahimsa is considered as the distinctive mark of religion and its contrary as sin and Ahimsa is regarded as the mother of all good things like austerities, learning, religious duty, knowledge, meditation, charity, and vows of truth, good conduct etc."
75
In this way the highest position has been accorded to the doctrine of Ahimsa in Jaina religion and it is pertinent to note that this principle of Ahimsa has been actually put into practice by the Jainas during the last so many centuries. As the principle of Ahimsa permeates the life of the Jainas, the Jaina culture is referred to as the Ahimsa culture. If the Jainas are known for any-thing it is for the evolution of Ahimsa culture since they practised and propagated that culture from ancient times in India. The antiquity and continuity of Ahimsa culture is mainly due to the incessant efforts of the Jaina Achāryas, i.e. saints. Naturally wherever the Jainas were in great numbers and wielded some influence they tried to spread Ahimsā culture among the masses. That is why we find that the States of Gujarat and Karnatak, which were the strongholds of Jainas from the beginning, are largely vegeterian. In fact it is admitted that as a result of the activities of the Jainas for the last so many centuries Ahimsa still forms the substratum of Indian character as a whole.