Jainism

Author(s): Vallabh Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabh Smarak Nidhi

Page 12

principles will vanish and with them the bitterness also. Obviously, this is the best means of promoting common understanding and goodwill amongst the followers of different faiths. One might say that this is mere common sense and that the principle is pre-supposed in every system of thought. It must, however, be remem. bered that the principle if kept in the background is always forgotten when needed most, and that common sense, unfortunately, is a thing which is most uncommon. In the Jain system the principle is always kept in the forefront, and hence, religious toleration, fellowship and coexistence, is the essence of Jain philosophy.
AHIMSA I shall now deal with another principle of Jainism which is also of very great importance and of universal application, but which has frequently been misunderstood and misrepresented. This is the principle of Ahimsa or non-injury to living beings.
Primarily, the preaching of Ahimsa was directed against the institution ofanimal sacrifices in which hundreds and thousands, nay millions of dumb and harmless creatures were butchered