Positive Non Violence

Author(s): Kanhaiyalal Lodha, Dalpatsingh Baya
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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the needy and affection for all. Therein a dictate for service to the old and the ill has been clearly mentioned. Besides this, two, traditionally distinguishing features of the Tīrthankara Way of Life are found mentioned prominently, one is that before His monastic ordination every Tīrthankara gives in charity tens of millions of gold coins everyday for a period of one whole year. This clearly indicates that the activities of charity and service are practiced and approved by the Tīrthankaras themselves. In the Jaina legendary literature it has been mentioned that, in one of His previous lives, Bhagvān śāntinātha gave away even the flesh from His own body for saving the life of a pigeon. Similar incidents of life saving, service, charity, etc., can be seen in the life sketches of other Tīrthankars as well. Bhagvān Mahāvīra himself not only gave away His celestial cloth to a poor Brahmin but also saved the life of false-visioned Gośālak, from a fiery energy that attacked him, by projecting the cold energy to counter it.
Not only this, even after self-realisation and gaining the highest form of enlightenment - Kevalajñāna, the Tīrthankaras mainly tour the country side for spreading their message for the welfare of the masses. The Tirthankars themselves have nothing to gain after the supreme accomplishment of Kevalajñāna. All activities of their lives are dedicated to the weal and welfare of the other living beings. It has been clearly mentioned in the aphorism, Savvajīva-rakkhaņa-dayatthayāe pāvayaņam Bhagavayā sukahiyam (the Lords preach only for preserving the lives and motivated by mercy towards all living beings)' from the primary canonical treatise, Prașnavyākaraṇa (2.1). It means that the intent for general weal is present in the detached supreme souls also. If this activity aimed at general weal were binding then how would a detached supreme soul have it? One of the meanings of this observation is that even ordained ascetics can engage themselves in the activities aimed at general weal while steadfastly adhering to their monasticism. Do Meritorious Activities Cause Karmic Bondage?
The concept that most hinders the acceptance of the value of positive non-violence signified by saving lives, service to the needy
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Positive Non-Violence