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Bhagwati Sar quotes Mahavir preaching that
"Unless we live with non-violence and reverence for all living beings in our hearts, all our humaneness and acts of goodness, all our vows, virtues and knowledge, all our practices to give up greed and acquisitiveness are fruitless."
In Dasavaikalika scripture, Ahimsa has been defined as establishing unity with all the living beings without any kind of distinction. Mahavir said,
"I have friendship with all the living beings; I have no revenge nor enmity with anybody. molest no one, not even your own soul."
Thus, the Jain concept of Ahimsa covers both "PARA-HIMSA" (violence towards others) as well as "SVA-HIMSA" (violence towards oneself). The reasoning is that if you practice non-violence towards others, it is in the first place for your own good, as it would make you a nobler human being full of large-heartedness, compassion and generosity. Scriptures say that "He who negates or ignores, or harms other beings, negates, ignores and harms one's own self". In essence, Ahimsa is a true and unconditional surrender of our own identity for the welfare of others.
In his sermons, Mahavir always insisted upon the observance of non-violence in thought, expression and action both at the level of the individual as well as the society. He envisaged its observance not only among humans, but on the wider plane among all life on the planet and the elements of nature that nurture and sustain it. Jain religion regards that both scientifically as well as spiritually all life on earth is harmoniously interdependent. There is a common organic chemistry, a shared evolutionary heritage and a common destiny passing through the cycle of birth and death towards eventual emancipation. Jain scriptures have vividly stressed on how and why Nature's bounty such as soil, forests, trees, minerals and water should be used judiciously" as the bee sucks honey in the blossom of a tree without hurting the blossom".
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