Training in Nonviolence

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

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View Nonviolence and Non-possessiveness Together
It is very well known that Lord Mahavira propounded the principle of nonviolence extensively. It is a truth but only a half-truth. It is not full truth. Mahavir propounded nonviolence and non-possessiveness, and violence and possessiveness together. We take only one aspect, because violence and possessiveness go together. They cannot be separated. Mahavir maintained that a person who is ignorant of both violence and possessiveness couldn't be called religious. Only that man can be religious who views nonviolence and non-possessiveness together.
We fixed two objectives of our Ahimsa Yatra (walk for inner and outer peace): first, the development of ethical awareness and the second, awakening the nonviolent awareness. It means that without morality nonviolence has no meaning. Both will go together. For those working in the field of nonviolence it is necessary that simultaneously they should work in the areas of economic purity and morality, because the problem we face today, viz. violence, has its origin in the problem of wealth. No one can stop the tide of violence unless he has a correct economic outlook.
Acharya Tulsi presented a code of conduct as part of the Anuvrat Movement, which is a very good code of moral conduct. The German philosopher Kant has also thought about morality as have many others. There are five basic principles: unity of the mankind, sensitivity, compassion, moral conduct and purity of means. On the basis of Anuvrat or Jain philosophy the above five principles constitute morality. If these are not developed, any talk of nonviolence becomes meaningless. Therefore, we will have to view violence and wealth, nonviolence and nonpossessiveness together. They can't be separated. Lord Mahavir's words are quite clear: view violence and possessiveness together. Likewise, view nonviolence and non- possessiveness together. A person, who does not consider nonviolence and non-possessiveness together, cannot reduce violence, nor can he develop nonviolence.
Wealth (money) has its own utility; therefore economic development cannot be overlooked. But today with economic development, problems related to money are being ignored while undertaking economic development. In our Lok Sabha
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