________________
EDITORIAL
In the ocean of violence there is always violence, but if one wants to practice absolute non-violence (Ahimsa), it is only possible through the reading and contemplation of the words spoken by the Gnani Purush Param Pujya Dadashri. There are many people who practice overt, gross Ahimsa, but it is extremely difficult to know it and understand it at its most subtle levels. It is not easy to know these levels, so how can one even begin to talk about attaining them?
liberation, with their last breath, killed many airborne life forms. If they were held responsible for such violence, they would be compelled to take birth again for the karma caused. Would liberation then ever be possible? So what was it that they attained, which gave them exclusive protection from the laws of karma and achieve liberation? These very mysteries are understood and can be explained only by a Gnani Purush himself, because within him manifests the exact same knowledge that is to be found in the hearts of all the Tirthankars. Dadashri has revealed this knowledge and has made it accessible to everyone. This book will, without doubt, serve as a very useful guide for those who practice Ahimsa and desire liberation.
- Dr. Niruben Amin
If one does not understand what constitutes the entire spectrum of Ahimsa towards living beings starting from the visible to the subtlest, such as life forms present in air and water, and if one does not understand intent-violence (violence through inner intent which causes a new karma) and intent-death (the ultimate of all violence: violence against the self. then whatever Ahimsa one practices will be in vain. One will be stuck at the level of mere words and gross mechanical actions.
Ahimsa (Non-violence)
Only the one who is absolutely non-violent, can show others the true nature of violence. Such a One is eternally established as the Self. These are the Tirthankaras and the Gnanis.
The word violence generally conveys the idea of some form of overt physical aggression. However the spiritual definition of violence is much broader. Any speech or thought that hurts others, is also considered violence.
In this book the words violence and non-violence have been used to denote the words Himsa and Ahimsa, respectively.
In this book, you will find information about violence and non-violence, from the gross to the subtle-most levels, as exposed by the Gnani Purush. He is absolutely non-violent in a world filled with violence. This book has been compiled with the intention that people of this time cycle, suffering from violence from every direction, achieve salvation for this life and lives to come.
Who can escape effect violence (visible acts of violence, intentional or otherwise; violence perceivable by all the senses)? Even the Tirthankars themselves, at the time of their ultimate
