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Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
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living being should be killed, governed, made slave, tortured and made restless." All these are considered as violence in the view of Jainism. Hence violence is not just killing a living being but any form of torture, exploitation, mental or physical harm is also violence. Violence may occur through our mind, speech and actions. Not only this, but to motivate or support others for violence is also considered as violence. In this way non-violence has a much broader connotation. It provides directive ways to think, speak and behave in such a manner that doesn't hurt anyone. First of all, violence generates in our mind, and then it comes to our speech and actions giving rise to conflicts. Hence, non-violence can act as an important instrument in conflict removal. Firstly, it will avoid many possible conflicts, and in case of remaining conflicts the broader form of non-violence can guide us to the best remedy for conflict removal.
Ahimsā is not merely non-violence, it has its positive social aspect and that can be called as friendliness (maitrī) to all living beings. Amitagati in Sāmāyika pātha says:
“Friendliness towards all beings, delightedness on the qualities of virtuous ones, utmost compassion for afflicted beings, equanimity towards those who are not well disposed towards me, May O Lord! my soul have such dispositions as these forever."
"Acārāngasūtra 1.4.1: savve pānā savve bhūtā savve jīvā savve sattā na hamtavvā, ņa ajjāvetavvā, ņa parighetavvā, na paritāveyavvā, na
uddaveyavvā. * Paramātma-dvātrinsikā 1: sattveșu maitrim guņișu pramodam, klișteșu jīveșu krpāparatvam; mādhyasthabhāvam viparītavșttau, sadā mamātmā vidadhātu deva.
