________________
Vol. XIX, No. 2
natural truth. Which has to be followed not by force but by inner conscious.
We all know that killing a jiva is killing one's own self. Compassion for the jiva is compassion for one's ownself. With this reason, the injury to jiva has been abandoned by those desirous of self-realisation. Thus the protection of jivas is dharma. All jivas desire to live and not to die. So please give us the distressful taking away of life. The present day materialistic approach is damaging inner consciousness as well as external nature. Thus we have to keep the balance between materialistic and spiritual approaches and should realise our position in the universe.
147
The survival of humans is only possible if we maintain a triangular relationship among man, animals and plants. Ahimsa is a way of life and attitude towards all forms of living beings as towards ownself As long as "me" survives in any form very subtly or grossly, ahimsa can not be achieved. Ahimsa helps in enhancing ethical, moral, social and spiritual evolution of all forms of life from protozoa to human beings and beyond. Constant alertness and thoughtful practice of ahimsa is the highest code of conduct or way of life. It needs no label of any religion or ism. Just as in the world, there is nothing more extended than the sky, so also in the world. there is no virture excellent and universal corresponding to ahimsa. The self restrain and austerity is dharma. It is by virture of the dharma that supreme spiritual beneficience results. Let us realise that civilisation is that mode of conduct which points out to man the path of duty. Performance of duty and observance of morality are convertible terms. To observe morality is to attain mastery over our mind and our passions, so doing we
know ourselves.
Let me speak the fact that knowledge of physical science does not work on livings and western scientific exercises are resulting in a big mistake. Let us emphasise
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
