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RELEVANCE OF NON-VIOLENCE IN MORDEN LIFE :
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3.
Udyogi Himsă : resulting from industrial or agricultural activity of the individuals for earning their livelihood. Virodhi Hiṁsā: resulting from opposing attack on one's life, property or country.
The saints or nuns abjure all the four types but the layman can renounce only the first type, while later has to indulge in the other three categories, but after observing vigilance.
The positive side of non-violence is as important as negative side. This side sometimes is not fully appreciated. The positive aspect implies forgiveness, kindness, compassion, charity and service. Ācārya Amitagati, writer of the famous "Srāvakācāra" (code of conduct for householders) writes: - "Friendliness towards all creatures, respect for the virtuous, compassion (kindness) towards all creatures in distress and neutrality towards those who are not well disposed to me. I pray those qualities be bestowed in me".
The Jaina community has responded well by adopting the above virtues preached by the spiritual teachers. This one crore strong community has taken lot of interest in practicing and propagating teachings of non-violence, animal welfare, animal protection and service to the community as a whole. They provide food to the hungry, clothing to the unclad and medical & educational services to the needy. They have opened many gośālas and shelters for the animals.
Observance of Vows
Jainism provides complete guidance for observation of nonviolence in day to day life. The practicing of the major and minor vows like truthfulness, non-theft, continence, non-possession etc. make it easy to serve non-violence. Again there are five observations which strengthens the conduct of non-violence viz. 1. control of speech, 2. control of thoughts, 3. regulation of movement, 4. care in planning and upkeep of things and 5. examining food and drinks before use.
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