World Of Jainism

Author(s): Vishwanath Pandey
Publisher: Vishwanath Pandey

Page 81

THE WORLD OF JAINISM
79
ethics is concerned. However, we should discuss here briefly the Jaina conception of Ahimsa and the Jaina doctrine of Gunasthana, not because these ideas are absolutely new but because of the emphasis that Jainism lays on them. The concept of Gunasthana is the Jaina contribution; although the idea behind the concept is very much familiar to other systems of Indian thought. It is a theory of moral progress through successive stages.
The Doctrine of Ahimsa
The doctrine of Ahimsa is a very old ethical principle in Indian thought. In the Mahabharata Ahimsa is hailed as the greatest religion (paramodharmah).* Ahimsa is sine qua non of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. However, it is Jainism which lays the greatest emphasis on Ahimsa. Ahimsa is not only the heart of Jainism, but the latter has become almost a synonym of the former. "All beings hate pain; therefore one should not kill them. This is the quintessence of wisdom: not to kill anything. Know this to be the legitimate conclusion from the principle of the reciprocity with regard to non-killing".51 The Sutras are replete with such injunctions. There is hardly any chapter in a Jaina Sutra which does not refer to Ahimsa. directly or indirectly. The Jainas believe that all six elements, earth, water, fire, etc., possess life; and hence a wise man should neither kill life himself nor cause to others to do so, nor even allow others to do so.52
The Jaina concept of Ahimsa is, as is the case with other systems of Indian thought, very deep. It is not confined only to abstinence from physical injury to human beings; it is the practice of non-injury towards all beings right from the smallest bacterial to the highest, human beings. The vow of Ahimsa runs thus: "I renounce all killing of living beings, whether subtle or gross, whether movable or immovable. Nor shall I myself kill living beings nor cause others to do it, nor consent to it. As long as I live, I confess any blame, repent and exempt myself of these sins, in the thrice threefold way, in mind, speech and body" 58 A monk is supposed to be obsessed so much with the fear of injuring a living being that he is strictly advised not to keep even his bowl recklessly, lest he shouuld unknowingly injure some insects below it. Eating before sun-set and covering mouth with a piece of cloth in order to avoid any unintentional injury are well known practices among the Jainas.
53
However, the extreme interpretation of Ahimsa in Jainism appears to be out of proportion. It has been felt by many
* See the article on 'Evolution of Jaina Thought', pp. 46-52. 52. Akaranga, I, 1, 3-7.
51. Sutrakritanga, I, 2, 9-10.
53. Akaranga, II, 15.