________________ Is peaceful co-existence possible through Jainism? Everybody wants happiness and peaceful coexistence in his life. All the religions and faiths teach us to strive towards this ultimate goal of peaceful coexistence. Jainism enables an individual and societies to achieve this ultimate goal by prescribing them to believe and acquire the Right Vision, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. In order to acquire these three objectives, Jainism proposes the following three principles to practice: 1. Non-violence (Ahimsa) 2. Abstinence from worldly possessions (Aparigraha) 3. Multiplicity of Views (Anekanta). Non-violence is deeply rooted in the Jaina philosophy. Jainism believes that all types of evils can be eliminated by practicing non-violence. Violence is commonly believed to mean bodily harm to someone: additionally, Jainism believes that hurting someone's feelings or emotions either directly or indirectly, especially when done on purpose, are also violence. Non-violence is for the brave people. Mahatma Gandhi fought against the British rule to free India based on the sound principles of Non-violence. All the 24 Jaina Tirthankaras were born in royal families and were also great warriors; but they all realized that it is more courageous to conquer oneself than the outside world. It is extremely challenging to practice the purest form of Nonviolence in our daily lives. Violence can occur from one of the following four kinds of activities: a) Accidental violence is caused by living a life while doing daily routine work. b) Occupational violence is caused while doing business. c) Protective violence is caused while protecting oneself when attacked from others as a reaction. d) Intentional violence is caused either by making a mental determination or by thinking about hurting someone. Jainism prescribes that a common person must avoid intentional violence by taking extra measures, while the other forms of violence must be avoided as for as possible. Jainism insists on vegetarian food habits and strongly opposes non-vegetarian food habits. It is an established fact that non-vegetarian food habits not only promote violence but also are harmful to our mind, body and spiritual soul. It has been medically shown that non-vegetarian food habits are responsible for many types of diseases. Similarly, drinking filtered water and eating before sunset are also medically proved good life-style habits as they prevent many types of harmful infections, indigestion, acidity and reflux problems. 276
