Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India

Author(s): Pranabananda Jash
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi

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Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India
one hundred and eightfold as it could be inspired by either of the four kāṣāyas (passions), viz., krodha (anger), māna (huff), māyā (deceit) and lobha (greed). The classification thus provides a comprehensive glimpses of non-violence as reflected in the writings of the Jaina ācāryas.25
The principle of ahimsa, as shown earlier, implies purity of thought, word and deed and is an outcome of universal love and sympathy towards all living beings, however tiny and minor they may be in the scale of evolution. Eliot nicely expresses the Jaina view of non-violence in the following:
"The beautiful precept of ahimsa or not injuring living things is not, as Europeans imagine, founded, on the fear of eating one's grandparents but rather on the humane and enlightened feeling that all life is one and that men who devour beasts are not much above the level of the beasts who devour one another.
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Another point that needs some clarifications is that the practice of ahimsa has often misunderstood and misinterpreted. The doctrine of it was meant not only for the wandering mendicants or ascetics, but to the laymen it is prescribed according to his position and stage of religious progress. This has allowed Jaina kings and laity to fight on the battlefield for their empire and for their safety as well as honour. It may be remembered in this connection that the practical application of the principle by Mahatma Gandhi is only an extension of the traditional value of ahimsa. Gandhi himself has stated that he derived much benefit from the Jaina religious works as from the scriptures of other great faiths of the world. 27 To follow the path of ahimsa is a very tough and rigorous job. Unless one believes it heart and soul; it will not possible to realise its subtle nature of diverse dimensions. As mentioned earlier "ahimsā according to a householder, according to aṇuvrata, would require abstinence from killing any animals but according to mahāvrata it would entail all the rigour and carefulness to prevent oneself from being the cause of any kind of injury to any living being in any way.
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Without entering further micro studies on the concept and application of ahimsa to the lives of the Parivrajakas it is an imperative task before us immediately to know the ordains of the Jaina ācāryas relating to other essential duties of the Jaina monks, like touring, habitation, food, lodging, etc.