Lessons of Ahimsa and Anekanta for Contemporary Life

Author(s): Tara Sethia
Publisher: California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Page 43

Lessons of Ahimsa and Anekānta for Contemporary Life
attachment and aversion, the soul gets tainted by himsā and thus becomes harmful to itself and others. If the soul maintains detachment and compassion, the soul is characterized by ahimsā and thus non-injurious to others around itself.'
The orientation of the Jaina discussion on ahimsā, therefore, proceeds from the perspective of one's own soul and not so much from the standpoint of the protection of other beings or the welfare of humanity as a whole. The Jainas rightly claim that compassion toward other living beings is not possible without realizing the value of self, the source of all spiritual wisdom. That is why the Jainas uphold the maxim, “First knowledge then compassion. Thus does one remain in full control. How can an ignorant person be compassionate when he cannot distinguish the good from the evil?»»2
The Jainas seem to be unique in believing that even animals, like humans, possess mind and the five senses, and are capable of spiritual sensibilities. A beautiful story about an elephant narrated in the Jaina scriptures illustrates the awareness and moral capacity ascribed to animals by the Jainas. This is the tale of an elephant, who was the leader of a large herd that was caught in a huge forest fire. All the animals of the forest ran from their haunts and gathered around a lake so that the entire area was jammed with beings, both large and small. After standing there for quite sometime, the elephant lifted his leg to scratch himself, and immediately a small hare ran to occupy the spot vacated by his raised foot. Rather than trampling the helpless animal, however, the elephant's mind was filled with great compassion for the plight of his fellow creature; indeed his concern for the hare's welfare was so intense that he is said to have cut off
'aprădurbhāvah khalu rāgādinām bhavaty ahimseti/ teşām evotpattiḥ himseti jināgamasya samkṣepaḥ// (Assuredly the nonappearance of attachment and other passions is ahiņsā, and their appearance is himsā. This is a brief summary of the Jaina doctrine.) See Purusārthasiddhyupāya of Amrtacandra Sūrī, v. 44. Sanskrit Text and English translation by Ajit Prasada (Lucknow: 1933).
- padhamam nānam tao dayā, evam citthai savvasamjae. See Daśavaikälika Sūtra, iv.
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