Jainism Some Essays

Author(s): A S Gopani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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It is clearly stated in the story that during the war he was not ready to kill or harm any one who had not first offended him because of his vows as a house-holder. The question of participation in war for a monk does not arise. A person has to take in the beginning of his career as a monk a vow called Samayika i.e. identification with all living beings so that he may not kill or harm any living being. This vow is a vow of not indulging in any evil doings. After testifying his capacity to follow the monkish life he is to take the five vows not to kill, not to tell a lie etc. It is explained that the first vow of not killing is the most important one and the other four vows are the auxiliary to the first vow of non-violence. Utmost importance is attached to the vow of non-possession by a monk. Because due to the idea to possess some thing, one is engaged in fair or unfair means, in order to have the desired thing. It was due to this reason that Lord Mahavira decided to be a naked monk and advised his followers also to be naked. Even to the householders he advised to limit their possession and not to indulge in such business in which there was violence.
Jaina Theory and Practice of Non-Violence
The result of emphasis on non-violence can be seen in the Jaina society as well as in the followers of Hindu religion that all the Jainas are strict vegetarians and most of the Hindus also are vegetarians. It can be accepted without doubt that vegetarianism in India is due to Jainism.
[Sambodhi vol. 2 No. 1]