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Jainism: The Cosmic Vision If you crave for peace in life, distribute peace generously to all.
If you do not wish to be unhappy in your own life, do not make others unhappy.
If you do not want to suffer in life, do not make others the target of suffering.
It you indulge in violence, you will be the target of violence by others against you.
The Prashna Vyakaran Agam says, the slaughtering of an animal or violence against others will result in perpetual unhappiness to you and that, too, not only in this life, but also in the subsequent ones. Unless you undergo suffering on account of the violence that has been perpetrated by you on others, you will not attain or achieve emancipation
Alden Nowtan in his poem say
Care More for other than for yourself. Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you. Gentleness is the hall-mark of spiritual culture. The hand that gives gathers. It does not cost to be kind. Killing the least, living the best. Nothing good ever comes of violence. Whenever a human being does someting to relieve the sufferings of an animals,
God makes a little holiday in his heart.
What is important is to allow animals to live and to make them happy. What is more important and significant is that if you want to be happy and live in good health, you will have to make all others happy in this world.
Compassion Touards Animals In the all-pervading principle adopted by the Jain religion which encompasses not merely human beings, but everything else also and it advocates non-violence towards animals and towards all other organisms - the religion perscribes merciful action and deeds towards all living creatures.
Consider the unflinching loyalty with which animals sometimes obey human beings ! Similar are the relations between man and other living organisms, establishing love, loyalty and dedication. Those, who have experienced the warmth of feelings that are expressed by the milch animals, beasts carrying load, animals who assist the warriors on the battle field, animals who protect homes, message-carrying birds etc. will always remain conscious of their duties towards them. That is why animals have been given a prominent place along with the great Tirthankara by the Jain religion.
To emphasise this, animal figures have inscribed just below the seat of the idols of the Tirthankara - e. g. the bull is inscribed below the seat of the idol of the first Tirthankara Rishabhadev, while the lion is found inscribed below the seat of the last Tirthankara Mahavira.
As a result of the close association between human beings and animals, the latter have come to be used in descriptions of human behaviour and qualities. For example, the swan is associated with knowledge and learning: the parrot is used to convey a sense of scholarship; the crane on the other hand symbolises the decietful nature of people; the ruddy goose or Sheldrake symbolises young lovers.
That is why the philanthropic acts, such as, the
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