World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

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Old Men or The Dark Knight). Would he, then, not be held cosmically or legally liable for his actions since he acted without desire or aversion? Would he not be entangled in the sticky web of karmic bondage? Taking the Jain understanding of intentionality, it would seem that he would not be held liable, at least cosmically. Such a person, however, being unable to distinguish between true and false does not fulfill the capacity of being human. His/her soul's progression will either remain at a stand still or most probably de-evolve into a lower, less capable life form. In Jainism, humans are obligated, both to self and others, to obtain a 'right belief (samyaktva) of the basic constituents of the universe and thereby recognize the absolute necessity of nonviolent behavior.
The Acaranga Sutra states:
The Revered Ones (Arhantas), and the Lords (bhavantas) of the past, present and future, all say thus, speak thus, enjoin thus, explain thus - all breathing, all existing, all living, all sentient creatures should not be killed, nor driven away. This is the discipline which is pure, eternal, inalterable, and declared by the enlightened ones who have comprehended the nature of the world.
For those who have not comprehended the nature of the world, they must operate strictly upon an unshakeable faith in teachings of those who have. It is believed that if one possess the 'right beliefs,' the truths they point to will become self-evident. The 'why' of the Decalogue's commandment 'thou shalt not kill' is answered by the Acaranga Sutra, which states, "You are the one whom you intend to kill, you are the one you intend to tyrannize, you are the one whom you intend to torment, you are the one you intend to punish and drive away." In the perfection of ahimsa, one is said to actually perceive other beings as non-different from his/herself whereby another being's experience of pleasure and pain becomes one's own. Jesus' commandment to 'love thy neighbor as thyself is based upon the same perception. As only fully realized beings are capable of actually realizing the radical sameness of all things, one must assimilate their words, look towards one's conscience for continued guidance and observe the vows in full faith. Partial abstinence is a small vow and complete abstinence is a great vow.
- Tattvartha Sutra, 7.2 In recognizing the fact that there are very few people who are desirous or even capable of committing themselves to an ascetic lifestyle, this verse subtly allows one to take a partial vow and still be considered to be a 'Jain.' Each community is morally responsible to observe the vows in accordance with their own capacity, which is dictated by one's chosen lifestyle. It is difficult for the householder to avoid injury to life in the daily routine of cultivating
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