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violence is social life. The prime need is to restrict the will for possession mental as well as physical also, that is why Mahāvīra propounded the vow of complete non-possession for the monks and nuns, while for laity, he propounded the vow of limitation of possession (Parigraha Parimana) and vow of control over consumption (Bhogopabhoga Parimana).
Jainism holds that if we want to establish peace on the earth then economic inequality and vast differences in the mode of consumptions should be at least minimised. Among the causes of wars and conflicts, which disturb our social peace, the will for possession is the prime, because it causes economic imbalance. Due to economic imbalance or inequality, classes of poor and rich came into existence and resulted in class conflicts. According to Jainas, it is only through the self-imposed limitation of possession and simple living, we can restore peace and prosperity on the earth.
NONVIOLENCE AS MEANS TO ESTABLISH PEACE
Tranquility is a personal or inner experience of peace. When it is applied in the social life or it is practised outwardly, it becomes non-violence. Nonviolence is a social or outer expression of this inner peace. In Acārānga, Bhagwan Mahāvīra remarks, "The worthy men of the past, present and the future all say thus, speak thus, declare thus, explain thus; all breathing, existing, living and sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, not abused, nor tormented. This is the pure, eternal and unchangeable law or the tenet of religion."In other words, nonviolence is the eternal and pure form of religion. In Jainism, non-violence is the pivot round which its whole ethics revolves. For Jainas, violence represents all the vices and non-violence represents all the virtues. Non-violence is not a single virtue but it is a
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