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witness today would not be as intense if this principle could permeate the minds of mutual adversaries.
It needs to be added that any religion or doctrine that does not pay adequate attention to the conduct of its followers often degenerates. Jainism, without any disrespect to any other religion, highlights the need for comprehensive combination of knowledge, doctrine and conduct (Samyak Jnana, Darshan, and Charitra); emphasis on one at the expense of others leads to an imbalance result.
Jainism believes in the plurality and equality of living creatures. Since nobody wants to be hurt or killed, the general rule should be that nobody should be hurt or killed. This rule of conduct is not confined only to man but extends even to the smallest of the small creatures. It is amazing that more than 2500 years ago, when scientific devices to detect micro-creatures were not available, Mahavir stated that there was life in wind, water trees and enjoined his followers to avoid, to that extent possible, their damage or destruction.
This kind of comprehensive concept of Ahimsa is unknown in the philosophical world. Indeed, Albert Schweitzer, the worldrenowned social worker and Noble Laureate while dealing with Jainism in his book Indian Thought and Its Development said "The laying down of the commandment not to kill and not to damage is one of the greatest events in the spiritual history of mankind... So far as we know it is for the first time clearly expressed by Jainism".
Ahimsa way of life as evolved by Jainism is today broadly accepted as an effective anti-dote to ever escalating violence around the globe. However, it has yet to be translated into concerted action from the ongoing academic exchanges. This is not to belittle the value of such discourses and debates but to provide a spurt to these activities with the hope that enough people may get inspired to translate word into deed.
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