________________
110 Universal Message of Lord Mahāvīra
and what is to be relinquished. Through right knowledge, a person will understand the real nature of the soul and of non-living substances. The cardinal principle of Jainism is non-violence, said Shri Dulichand Jain in a lecture. It means giving respect to all forms of life. Non-violence is the pivot on which its whole ethics revolves and it is a combination of all virtues.
The positive side of non-violence implies kindness, forgiveness, charity and service, explained in a verse by one of the renowned Acāryas, Amitagati as "friendship towards all, respect for the qualities of virtuous people, utmost compassion for the afflicted beings and equanimity towards those who are not welldisposed towards me." Mahāvīra had laid great stress on the equality of all human beings. He said that both men and women were eligible to attain emancipation after destroying the passions and karmas, all barriers of caste, creed and colour are artificial and should go.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
