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Karuņā and the Significance of its Social ... : 85
Lord Mahāvīra was a great seer who strived to help the masses to find peace and happiness. He did this by laying emphasis on non-violence and compassion. Non-violence is considered one of the five principles of Jainism along with truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possessiveness. One is required to conduct one's life in accordance with these principles. Compassion is the practical implementation of non-violence. One cannot practice non-violence without compassion. The practice of compassion sows the seeds of respect for another. It teaches us that just as my life is precious to me, another person's life is precious to him too.
So Mahāvīra stressed on "reverence for all life". The life of every being is sacred and must be respected. He said,
savve pāņā piyāuyā, suhasāyā dukkhapadikālā/ appiyavahā piyajīviņo jīviukāmā savvesiṁ jviyampiyam/'.
i.e. "All living beings are fond of life, they relish pleasure, loath misery, disfavour injury, wish for longevity and long for survival. In short, life is dear to all."
Such compassion for every form of life, human and nonhuman, from the single-sensed creatures to the five-sensed creatures, lies at the heart of Jainism. Life is precious and to kill any being, be it an innocent bee or a serial killer, is considered abhorrent.
No wonder then, the great seer declared compassion to be the mother of religion. He said, savvehiṁ bhūehis dayāņukampi khanti samjayabambha yāri/
i.e. A true monk should have compassion on all beings, he should be of a forbearing nature, restrained and chaste.
He further said, kodicallanajanani duhkhaduriyākhigga nitthavani / saṁsāra jalahitatarani ekāciya hoi jīvadayā // 3
i.e. "Compassion gives millions of benefits; all troubles, sins and enemies are destroyed by it just as a boat which can take us across this worldly ocean."
It is in a parallel vein that the great scientist Albert Einstein stated, "Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creature and the whole of nature and its beauty".
