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The doctrine of ahimss has been alluded to in the Avesta.1 The Buddhist literature, the Epic literature3, the Smriti literature, the Bibles and the Koran also refer to it; it is not unlikly that the source of these all was Jaina literature that preserves Mahavira's doctrine of ahimsa,
MAHAVIRA'S AHIMSA AS SINGULAR:
Before and in the time of Mahavira himself, himsa was on the forefront. Violence or himsa became, as it were, the cult. The cow-herds were compelled to give their animals in hundreds to be slaughtered by the kings and chieftains in the name of religion. Life had grown insecure, and sense of despair was prevailing
Mahavira's Doctrine of Ahimsa and its Impact
Dr. S. M. Pabadiya Ujjain.
1.
In the Avesta, killing of animals has been condemned. In it, Ahurmazad looks down upon those who recommend killing of animals (Gatha 34:3) 2. In the Mahāvagga, intentional teasing to others is prohibited. In the Dhammapada (10:1), it is written that no one should kill anybody, that no one should instigate others to kill.
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The Mahabharata highly praises ahimsa.
The Manusmriti deprecates meat-eating.
The Bible says, "Thou shalt not kill".
In the Koran, we are told that the animals should be pitied. In it, it is said. "Bisimallaha rahimannur Rahim". See, also, Muniraja Vidyavijaya : Ahimsa; Ganesh Muni Shastri : Ahimsā Ki Bolti Minareym Agra, 1968.
Ref., Buddhist records. See, also; Shri Mahavira's Commemoration Volume 1. p. 74
Mahavira Jayanti Smarika, 76
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