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Timeless Message of Bhagwan Mahavira oldest book of Jain religion Acharang Sutra, it is said that nonviolence is a true universal religion. Acharya Shri Umaswatiji said, puuet sitahin. Mahavira's non-violence encompasses the entire universe and he had emphasised unity of life.
It was after a gap of 2500 years that Mahatma Gandhi felt inspired by the same principles of non-violence and compassion that Mahavira had propounded. In August 1946 Mahatma stood, unarmed before a violent mob and his compassion melted their hearts. Mountbatten said at that time, “What a battalion could not have achieved, has been achieved by this frail man and has saved India from a conflagration.” Nonviolence links Mahavira with Mahatma, "as if there was an invisible traffic between Mahavira and Gandhi.”
As we step into the next century, every one has to make non-violence a part of their being, their very existence. Jain philosophy lays emphasis on totality of life, not on fragmented existence. There are people who take care to see that tiny insects are not killed, but they do not flinch when it comes to exploiting others. Everyone has a split personality and this leads to fragmentation which is highly detrimental. Non-violence must pervade one's life, one's every action and activity. Compassion should be encompassing as was evident in Mahavira's love for Chandkaushik, a venomous snake.
Acquisitiveness or possessiveness is directly related to violence. Exploitation and corruption are also manifestations of violence. To exploit the disadvantaged or the underprevileged is also a form of violence. "Jain religion affirms the co-existence of non-violence and human existence," says Muni Santbalji. Jonathan Swift has said, “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another." We must
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