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Jaina Path of Purification (Liberation)
113
It is the ksatriyas (members of the warrior class/caste) who have taught non-violence, and those who follow their teachings are the brave men of heroic character. Prosperity and all-round development choose and accompany the heroic character. It is this heroic character that attains the worldly or spiritual wealth. Where there is weakness and feeling of fea the practice of non-violence is utterly impossible. Weakness and feeling of fear are the terrible diseases of life. The saying 'the Earth is ruled and enjoyed by the brave'l may or may not be suitable to the ideology of the present age, but that the practice of non-violence can be undertaken by the strong? (and not by the weak) is the universal truth never contradicted in all the three divisions of time. It is only the brave endowed with the power of discrimination and discretion, who can practise non-violence. This is possibly the reason why all the Arhats (tirthankaras) belong to the ksatriya class/caste; and they do have the heroic character of the highest order. And only those who have the heroic character and at the same time possess power of discrimination and discretion can become their followers.
One commits violence by not contributing to the efforts of stopping violence or by simply remaining indifferent to violence, just as one commits violence by indulging in positive violent activity. If one who knows swimming does not rescue a drowning man and simply watches him drowning, it is an act of violence. Not to give food to the hungry in spite of one's ability to give him food is also a case of violence. Violence of such type is the result of callous carelessness of the form: "What concern have I? Why should I invite trouble? I cannot afford to give food, etc., to others". Hard-heartedness is opposed to religion or religious practice. Universal love is the foundation of religion. To remain indifferent to others' happiness, comforts and benefits for the sake of one's own is also a case of violence. To take undue advantage of others' labour is also a form of violence. Though one knows the truth and there is all the possibility of saving an innocent man by one's speaking out the truth in the witness-box in a court, yet if one does not speak out the truth in the court and thus allows the man to be a victim of injustice, then it also is a case of violence as it is a case of untruth. To throw rubbish of our house near our neighbour's, or to leave a scorpion or a plague rat found in our house
1. virabhogyā vasumdharā / 2. ahimsā balavatsadhyā / 3. dayā dharma kā mula hai /
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