Positive Non Violence

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

Page 86

(Residence of righteousness) 42. Samvara (Karmic stoppage) 43. Gupti (Self-control) 44. Vyavasāya (Business) 45. Unnata-bhāva (Exalted volition) 46. Bhāvayajña (Benevolence) 47. Ayatana (Shelter) 48. Yatanā (Care) 49. Apramāda (Vigilence) 50. Āśvāsana (Assurance) 51. Viśvāsa (Faith) 52. Abhaya (Safety) 53. Amāghāta (Safe conduct) 54. Bhalāi (Weal) 55. Pavitratā (Purity) 56. Sucitā (Cleanliness) 57. Pūjatva (Venerability) 58. Vimalatā (Stainlessness) 59. Prabhāṣā (Language of kindliness) and 60. Nirmalatā (Spotlessness).
Thus, these sixty are the qualitative names of the goddess nonviolence. Out of these, many such as mercy, protection, nourishment, joy, etc., are of practical positive non-violence. As non-violence is a means of karmic stoppage, it is inferred that positive non-violence in the form of mercy, protection, nourishment, etc., is also a means of karmic stoppage and, therefore, it cannot be a cause of karmic bondage. To believe that mercy, protection, etc., are causes of karmic bondage is to believe that karmic stoppage is a cause of karmic bondage, which is fallacious. Karmic stoppage is dharma. Therefore, positive non-violence in the form of mercy, protection, etc., is also dharma. Not to consider so is to believe that dharma is adharma and to believe like this is nothing but false vision. As has been said in the tenth part of Țhāṇānga sūtra – Dasavihe micchatte pannate tamjahā - adhamme dhammasaņņā,
dhamme adhammasaņņā... - Aphorism 993. That is – 'The false vision is of ten kinds such as – to believe adharma as dharma and dharma as adharma ...'
The belief that ‘Mercy is dharma' has been prevalent since the ancient age, as - Dayādhammassa khantie vippasiijja mehāvi -
- Uttarādhyayana sūtra, 5/30. That is – 'The wise aspirant must keep himself happy with his mercy-dharma and forbearance.'
Dharmo jīvadayā - Padmanandi Pañcavimśati, 17.
That is – "To keep a kindly disposition towards the living beings is dharma.'
Positive Non-Violence
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