________________
Vol. XVII. No. 4
111
Even if we have being with fewer senses alone, the results may be fatal. R.K, Mukherjee criticised the Jaina conception of nonviolence, stating that "the irony of the extreme position is that there is in practice less care for the lives of human beings, in conduct towards them than for the lives of animal, animalcule, plants and seeds."52 Gandhi also seems to be critical of these extreme methods to ensure universal non-killing:
"It is my firm conviction that the principle of clinging to life in all circumstances betrays cowardice and is the cause of much of the hiṁsā that goes on around us, and blind adherence to this principle is bound to increase instead of reducing hiṁsā. It seems to me that if this Jaina principle is really as it is here enunciated, it is a hindrance to the attainment of salvation”.58
At seems to me that by this statement Gandhi has not actually opposed the universal practise of non-violence, but he defines nonviolence in different way.
A Jaina saint ought to practise non-violence towards all living beings. The logical outcome of this is withdrawal from society, and to take it to its extreme conclusion would be to starve to death.54 Thus absolute non-violence towards all organic life leads to withdrawal from social life and is finally suicidal.
The Jaina, thus, prescribes the practice of universal non-violence in a most casualistical manner and it is questionable whether a numerous prohibition arise from purely ethical considerations, These rules may often be ritualistical than ethical. It is apparent that the unlimited extension of non-killing to all sub-human beings has hindered the development of non-violence in human relations.
References : 1. S.N. Dasgupta, A History of Indian Philosophy, Vol. I, Cambrige,
1963, p. 169. 2. S.C. Rampuria, The Cult of Ahimsă (A Jaina vicw-point),
Calcutta, 1947, p. 67. 3. S. Radhakrishnan, Indian Philosophy, Vol. I, London, 1958 p. 287 4. Umasvami, Tattvärthādhigama sūtra, Vol. 7/2 (SBJ Vol. II) 5. Shri Kunda Kunda Acharya, Niyamasāra, IV, 61 (SBJ, Vol IX) 6. Ibid IV, 63 (p. 33) 7. J.L. Jaini, Outline of Jainism, Cambridge, 1916, p. 69 8. Uttarādhyayana sūtra, XXXV 8-12 (Secred Book of the East-Jain
sūtra II pp. 204-205 9. S.N. Dasgupta, op. cit, 1, p. 199,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
