Training in Nonviolence

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Anuvrat Global Organization

Page 14

Training in Nonviolence
extinguish it. Again a fire breaks out and again it is extinguished. Both extinguishing the fire and finding out the causes why it broke out are the two essential factors for the totality of an action. To solve the present problem of violence and to purify its basic source are both essential. Those who are working in the field of nonviolence are not paying as much attention to the purification of the basic source as to the solutions of the present problems. In our view it is a great obstacle in the development of ahimsa.
Armament, war, disarmament, prevention of war, education and economy are the subjects that come under the control of the government. People are not concerned with them. It is very rare that the people who occupy high positions in government listen to the talk of ahimsa attentively. We have to carry the message of ahimsa to the people. We have to take it to those who cannot make a decision as regards armament or disarmament, but can decide the fate of those who make decisions in this area. For it we need profound faith, ardent perseverance and relentless dedication. We are confident these traits will develop in nonviolence workers.
The world has shrunk today and distances have been reduced. We should first think of the individual and then of society. The thought of the world should come after that only. But these days we ignore the individual and society, but think of the world directly. This gradual development - from individual to society and from society to the world - is very important. We must not be oblivious of the fact that it is the individual who is also a center of consciousness. The dream of world peace will never come true until human consciousness is purified. If a political system follows a policy of peace the individual may become secondary. The weak or powerful aspect of a political system is the mechanism of control. Without it no system can work. In an environment of restrictions the sapling of peace can't grow. Whether we do it in the beginning or at the end, awakening a feeling of togetherness in an individual is the basic mechanism leading to world peace. The old name of this collective consciousness is the consciousness of equanimity.
As the concept and doctrine of control developed, rulers and despots continued to prosper. We could thus reach the monarchical system. This journey to victory is no less important. The next journey should be a journey to peace. It is not at all important that those who are elected to rule in a democracy also have faith in ahimsa. Though democracy and nonviolence are intimately connected even a democratic government is pushed to the brink of dictatorship. The system of peace mechanism will not be different from democracy but he who rules should have faith in ahimsa.
All the Arhats (Venerable Ones) of the past, present and future discourse, counsel, proclaim, propound and prescribe thus in unison: Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture or kill any creature or living being.
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- Lord Mahavira