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Soul Science : Samayasara by Jain Ācarya Kundakunda
violence are sins.
In an alternate classification, there are four kinds of violence: (i) Violence in defense (Virodhi Himsa), (ii) Violence in agriculture, industry, and business (Udyogi Himsa), (iii) Violence incurred during essential chores (Arambhi Himsa), and (iv) Intentional violence (Sankalpi Himsa).
It is not possible for a householder to be totally free from the first three kinds of above mentioned violence related to defense, trade and industry, and essential chores of day-to-day life. But the fourth kind, intentional violence, does not serve any essential purpose. Therefore, for householders, preceptors prescribe to totally avoid the intentional violence and to minimize the other three. It may be seen that hunting, fishing, consuming non-vegetarian food, etc fall in the list of intentional violence. Further, in a large number of cases, planning and execution of any fight with one's near and dear well wishers also fall in the category of intentional violence. Similarly, harming or hurting others by negligence or laziness also needs to be avoided.
Suicide is a sinful and cowardly act of intentional violence, and it is to be totally avoided in all situations. The Sallekhanā prescribed in scriptures is not to be understood as suicide. While describing Sallekhanā, Ācārya SamantaBhadra explicitly writes [2] that a person undergoing Sallekhanā should not have the following five: (i) desire to live, (ii) desire to die, (iii) fear of pain or death or of any kind, (iv) remembrance of friends and relatives, and (v) any materialistic wish for the present or next life. One finds almost similar description in Tattvārthasutra [3].
(2) Falsehood (Asatya)
Not to say what has been seen, known, or heard, but to say it otherwise, is falsehood. To mislead someone by telling the partial truth is also falsehood. To assert any point without understanding it correctly is also a sin of falsehood.
If one hears from some ignorant person that the violence is not bad, and it can be a part of the religious practice, then the propagation of this wrong information also amounts to falsehood.
It is necessary that one understands, verifies, and knows the truth reasonably well before preaching the truth. Question: (a) While entering my office one of my colleagues says, “Good
morning. How are you today?” At that time I am suffering from headache. Would it be a sin of falsehood if I say, "Thanks, I am fine." (b) In a dinner party, I am served ten items. I liked eight and did not like two. The enthusiastic hostess casually asks, "Did you like the food?" Would it be a sin of falsehood if I say, "Oh yes, I liked it very much." (c) What about the harm to others by one's words?
