Non Violence and its Causes

Author(s): Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Jayantilal Jain

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NON-VIOLENCE AND ITS CAUSES
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Dr. Jayanti Lal Jain
Non-violence
The word Non-Violence is generally understood in the context of killing others or protecting others. It relates to "others". Jainism goes beyond others. It is used in the context of killing self, hurting self and protecting self. Passions arise only after "killing" (ignoring) self. Nonexistence of passions is really non-violence and presence of passions reflects the state of violence. The attitude of killing, hurting or not protecting others refers to violence. The converse of this is compassion for others. However, when one protects self, it is supreme state of non-violence and compassion.
Non-violence is the quintessence of all dharmas. To be engrossed completely with the self is the greatest dharma of non-violence as in this state of meditation only; there will be no violence to others in thoughts, words and deeds. The pure soul is the greatest follower of the same as it is eternally engrossed with the self only. Adoption of vows of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-possession and celibacy are practiced in spiritual endeavours. When a person gets completely absorbed with the self, these vows are automatically followed and when not in the state of meditation, such thoughts are shunned.
Causes of violence are often debated in any given society and such debate continues in newspapers, journals, schools, colleges, and coffee shops etc. Violence is also a subject matter of social, political, and economic life. Administration of Violence is quit complex.
The concept of violence in various dimensions (from one sense to five senses) is generally well understood among Jains however the Causation underlying the violence is not so well realized. Hence it is better to focus on the real causes of violence so that concerted efforts can be made to practice/promote non-violence. The concept of Causation is based on verse/gatha 16 from "Pravachansaar" scripture written by Acharya Kundakund.
Causation
Like any scientific enquiry, a given effect can be brought about in spiritual science also by knowing its cause. Without knowing these relations, misconceptions arise and it will be of no avail to make Herculean efforts to achieve something, which is impossible to achieve. One will not get requisite confidence to undertake matching efforts to ensure success and will be aimless and groping in the dark.
Innate (Upadaan) vs Instrumental (Nimitta) Causes - Every effect is caused by multiple factors which operate in a complicated manner. There are two types of causes – innate and instrumental. That which itself causes the change or contributed by the same matter through