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LIFE
55 fishes, happily responded to the non-harming and compassionate attitude or disposition of men. Already in Mahāvīra's time, the righteous king of India made it a point of duty to vouchsafe the lawful protection to all forms of life within the compound of a religious establishment (dhammikarakkhāvarana-guttı). This very principle of nonharming had a salutary effect on man's habitual diet. Those who came under the influence of Mahāvīra's personality and teachings gave up the eating of meat and fishes for good, and adhered to vegetarian diet. This change in diet went to improve the art of preparation of vegetable dishes.
The same principle served to mitigate the rigour and ruthlessness of the criminal justice of ancient India The ancient laws were considerably modified and humanized. Compassion for the suffering fellow-beings is just the other side of non-harming The principle of compassion was at the back of many philanthropic and humanitarian deeds and institutions which he encouraged. There must have been something very special and most forceful which appealed to the heart of the people of the trading community who realizing the utter worthlessness of earthly good came
* Majjhima, II, P 101, etc.
