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I, (Sudharmā Svāmi), say that - all the Lords Arihantas (Rsabhadeva, etc.,) in the past, the Lords that are at present (Bhagvān Mahāvīra) and the ones that will be in future preach, discourse, tell and propound that no living being, no creature, no living existence ought to be killed, subordinated, enslaved, tormented or distressed. This nonviolent faith, preached by the learned sages in the know of the living set, is pure, permanent and eternal.
Comments – The violence towards other living beings has been proscribed by relating it with their consciousness. This also gives expression to compassion, which is the volitional and emotional side of non-violence.
Himsaņņitam vā ņa kaham karejjā || - Sūtrakrtānga, 1.10.10. Do not tell violent tales or the ones that may cause violence.
Comments - Why should no living being be killed? The abovementioned aphorisms bring out many reasons in support of nonviolence. Bhagvān Mahāvīra established oneness with the consciousnesses of the other living beings and thereby came to know of their desires to live on and not to die. He, then, preached for upholding their desire for life and thus the preaching for non-violence.
Tam pariņņāya mehāvī ņeva sayam chajjīva-nikāyasattham samārambhejjā, ņeva’ņņehim chajjīvaạikāya-sattham samārambhāvejjā, ņeva'nne chajjīvanikāyasattham samārambhante samaņujāņejjā | Jassete chajjīvaņikāya-satthasamārambhā samārambhejjā pariņņāyā bhavanti se hu muņi parinņayākamme tti bemi I - Ācārānga Cayanikā, 17.
Having understood the results of those violent activities the wise person neither indulges in violent activities towards the living set of six categories himself nor does he have any violence towards the living s of six categories caused by others nor does he approve of any violence towards the living set of six categories to be caused by others.
Anyone who has come to understand the form of violence towards the living set of six categories is so wise as to know about such violence. I say so.
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Positive Non-Violence
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