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violence. The absence of violence in personal and social life leads to peace. In short, respecting other's existence is nonviolence.
The secret of Non-violence (Ahimsa) "says the Dasavaikalika Sutra (6.8)" is self-restraint in regard to all living beings, which was realized by Lord Mahavira. Restraint means giving up all sorts of violent activities. Mental restraint, vocal restraint and physical restraint, all types are required. Self-Restraint is possible only on the acceptance of the existence of soul.
2. Sensitivity towards nature
Acharanga facilitates the understanding of super commentary on the concept of nonviolence in relation to mobile and subtle immobile living beings which are very important from the viewpoint of environment. According to Acharanga souls exist not only in human beings and animals, but also in lumps of earth, in drops of water, in the flame of fire, in the wind and in the vegetation. They have invisible intelligent life forms which fulfill their own functions in nature. All of them experience pain and pleasure, as they encounter violence or compassion. To establish a harmonious coexistent behavior with birds, animals, insects, earth, water, fire, air and vegetation is for human beings a devoted pursuit of Ahimsa. Ahimsa comprises in protecting the legacy of nature. In the universe, if a single strand of the divine web is touched, it would sensitize the entire web. All the animate as well as inanimate elements in the universe are inter-linked precisely as pearls in a chain. In Ayaro, the environment reflects ethical sensitivity towards the nature and the imperative of living peacefully in a world of contradiction and pain, selfishness and exploitation, greed and cruelty. In the ancient traditions, religion is believed to help individuals attain peace and happiness.
The attribution of pleasure and pain to the immobile beings such as earth-bodied creatures is an absolutely novel contribution. Jain doctrine, therefore strongly advocates that one must refrain from destroying them.
Jain philosophy has been invoking such a commitment as an integral part of society so that human beings do not tinker with the semblance of nature i.e. the embodied souls of earth, water, etc. The Jains have cultivated the practice to live non-violently with nature, and helped in protecting the environment and ecology. Jain seers attach great importance to the welfare of plant and other one- sensed living beings and have produced sacred laws for the care of the natural world. In this way Jains uphold the moral, ethical, mental, and physical values of civilized society. Jain ethical values have paid the highest regard to all forms of life and helped to maintain peace in the society.
(i) Plant body and Human body-a special reference Among the immobile beings, the plant-bodied beings have manifest consciousness. The comparison of the human body with plant body has been described in Acharanga as follows:
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