Book Title: Portrait of Jain Religion
Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Page 107
________________ Acharya Shubhachandra writes in his memorable work ‘INANARNAVA': "All the scriptures regard Ahimsa as the core attribute of religion and the contrary as sin. Ahimsa is the fountain spring of all virtues like learning and meditation, compassion and charity, non-attachment, pursuit of truth and ethical conduct." For centuries, Jaina teaching of Ahimsa has been passed on from generation to generation as a positive life force legacy equally worthy of all. Niragrinth Pravachan containing account of answers given by Mahavir to his chief disciple, Indrabhuti Gautam says in gatha 18 that “One who regards this life as transient and considers all small and big living beings as like him is the real learned with due restraint." In essence Jain religion presents in its conception of Ahimsa a truly enlightened perspective of equality of all souls irrespective of differing physical forms of living creatures ranging from human beings to animals and infinitesimal living organisms. Inherent in it is the concept of love for all of creation. Thus, nonviolence is not mere negation or elimination of violence. It is even more a vehicle to promote positive and rational approach and attitude to life in relation to others. Inspired by this philosophy, Mahatma Gandhi used to say: Keep your thoughts positive and nonviolent Because your thoughts become your words, Keep your words positive Because your words become your habit, Keep your habits positive Because your habits become your behavior, Keep your behavior positive Because your behavior becomes your destiny 96 A Portrait of Jain Religion www.jainelibrary.org Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only

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