Journey to Enlightenment Part 02

Author(s): Chitrabhanu, Nirmala Hanke
Publisher: Create Space

Page 57

JIVADAYA: Compassion to Living Beings
Fall 2008
By Pramoda Chitrabhanu
The Sanskrit word Jivadaya has a unique connotation in the literature of Jain Dharma. Jiva means life and daya means compassion-compassion to all living-beings. The idea behind Jivadaya is to have a sensitive heart that makes a deep empathic relationship with every form of living life strarting from the micro-beings to macro-beings.
Its foundation is laid on the strong bedrock of our own practice of non-injury to life called Ahinsa and on one's genuine reverence for all life. Bearing this in mind, it becomes our prime concern to know and feel how we are affecting others, so as not to hurt anyone through neglect, apathy or intention, subtly or openly, subconsciously or consciously. It is the secret thoughts and tendencies entertained by us that make up the subconscious which is mainly responsible for the actual actions that one ultimately takes.
We know that human beings and indeed all lives are dominated by suffering. Our cravings, attachment and desires for the material things lead us to violence and destruction. These kind of hidden atrocities go unnoticed in our daily living that is the root cause of pain and agony.
In today's time of increased global warming and hostility the people all ove rthe world are feeling more and more insecure, threatened and unsafe to live in a world plagued with the epidemic of power and position, violence and hate. The antidote for this is Reverence for Life and Ahinsa.
As Bhagwan Mahavir rightly said, “Knowing that all the evils and sorrows arise from injury to living beings, and that it leads to unending enmity and hatred which is the cause for great fear, a wise man who has become awakened should refrain from all sinful (harmful) activities."
In the olden days, the idea of Jivadaya was limited to animal shelters. It inspired people to spend their resources for animal sanctuaries where animals are protected and taken care of til they die. But today the story is different. Violence on dumb and mute animals has increased to such great heights that it
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