Aaj Ke Jivan Me Ahimsa Ka Mahattva - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Aaj ke Jivan me Ahimsa ka Mahattva" by Hukamchand Jain, based on the provided pages:

The book, "Aaj ke Jivan me Ahimsa ka Mahattva" (The Importance of Ahimsa in Today's Life), authored by Dr. Hukamchand Jain, emphasizes the central role of Ahimsa (non-violence) in contemporary living.

Core Definition and Types of Ahimsa:

The text begins by tracing Ahimsa back to Lord Rishabhdev, who embraced this path, leading to the renunciation of harming living beings.
Literally, Ahimsa means "not causing harm." However, the text delves deeper, quoting the Sutrakritanga which defines Ahimsa as the absence of attachment to negligence and indulgence. Essentially, the arising of raag-dvesh (attachment and aversion) is considered violence.
Ahimsa is categorized into two forms:
- Dravyāṁsā (Material Violence): Violence caused through physical actions that result in the loss of life.
- Bhāvahiṁsā (Mental Violence): Even without physical action, harboring ill thoughts or intentions towards any living being constitutes violence. This is further illustrated by a quote from Samansutta, stating that even the thought of violence leads to karmic bondage, and according to the Nischaya Naya (ultimate perspective), this is the essence of karmic attachment for living beings.

Ahimsa Beyond Jainism:

The author notes that the spirit of Ahimsa is also found in non-Jain scriptures. The Buddhist Lankavatara Sutra advises against consuming alcohol, meat, and onions. The Manusmriti emphasizes careful movement ("Drishti poottam nyaset paadam" - Place your foot after looking), highlighting a cautious approach to avoid harming even small creatures.

The Root of Violence and Practical Application:

The text observes that violence is prevalent everywhere in the world. The root cause of this violence is identified as vices like deceit, trickery, anger, pride, delusion, and greed (kashayas).
It argues that simply preaching against these vices is insufficient. Instead, individuals need simple, practical solutions that can be easily integrated into their lives. Ethical principles are not readily accepted through mere sermons; they require practical implementation.
Effective change can only come through practical demonstrations, examples, and personal conduct.

Fostering Ahimsa:

The concept of "self" and "other" creates a basis for violence. The Samansutta is quoted again, stating that whatever you wish for yourself, extend that to others, and that is the essence of the Jain path.
If individuals understand that harming others is ultimately harming themselves, and benefiting others is benefiting themselves, then violent tendencies will gradually diminish.
Mahatma Gandhi is cited as a prime example of someone who practically applied this principle, effectively teaching the core message of Ahimsa. Jawaharlal Nehru also placed Ahimsa prominently in his Panchsheel principles.
The "live and let live" philosophy is crucial. Without this, envy, hatred, enmity, and deceit will continue to plague individuals.
The Acharanga Sutra emphasizes that all living beings cherish their lives and are averse to pain and death. This understanding fosters empathy and the "live and let live" principle, enabling one to comprehend the suffering of others.

Detachment and its Role:

Excessive accumulation of wealth, driven by desire, leads to unethical practices and social, political, and religious imbalances, transforming humans into "demons."
Individuals should only accumulate what is necessary, and any excess should be used for social development. Those engaged in social work have a greater impact when they preach.
Attachment and ignorance are pervasive, leading to the infliction of suffering on others. People become consumed by desires without considering the rightness or wrongness of their actions and their impact on future generations and society. Realizing this will encourage good deeds and weaken ignorance and delusion.

The Importance of Compassion and Character:

Knowledge must be accompanied by compassion. Compassion elevates humans, and true compassion arises after a conceptual revolution. Compassion is the foundation of Ahimsa.
Examples of rulers like Maharaja Kumarpal (who declared amāri - prohibition of animal slaughter) and Hemachandra (who stopped violence by butchers and hunters) are given. Inscriptions against violence from historical sites further attest to this.
Kabir's verse, "Keep compassion in your heart, why be cruel? All are the Lord's beings, from ant to elephant," reinforces the need for compassion.
Character is essential for embodying Ahimsa. A person of character exhibits congruence between their words and actions. The Samansutta states that even a less educated person with character surpasses a learned but characterless individual.
Only characterful individuals can be loyal to society and the nation. Lord Mahavir also emphasized the purity of character.
Knowledge without action is useless, as is action without knowledge. The text uses the analogy of a lame person seeing fire but unable to move, and a blind person running into fire, to illustrate this.
The Tattvartha Sutra by Umaswati states that the path to liberation is through Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct (character).

Consequences of Lack of Character and Virtues:

The absence of character contributes to the nation's decline into various ailments, difficulties, immorality, and corruption. People neglect their own duties while focusing on others'.
If individuals understood their duties, they would draw closer to each other, becoming loyal to the nation and society. They would move away from environments of envy, hatred, enmity, and artificiality, fostering a spirit of public welfare.
To develop Ahimsa, individuals must abstain from vices like alcohol and meat.
The text lists specific vices and their consequences:
- Theft: Corrupts the mind and leads to suffering.
- Alcohol: Destroys intellect, leads to lust, spreads diseases, and wastes wealth.
- Gambling: Ruins character and social standing.
- Adultery: Leads to public humiliation and negative impacts on family and society.
- Hunting: Results in the killing of animals and promotes violence.
The Samansutta reiterates that all living beings desire to live, not to die, and therefore, ascetics avoid the grievous act of killing.

Conclusion and Foundation for Ahimsa:

The essence of the discussion is that Ahimsa can only be embraced in life when there is an inculcation of tolerance, universal brotherhood, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, compassion, charity, humility, and non-possession.
Developing character by abstaining from anger, pride, delusion, and greed is essential.
Moral education from childhood is vital for cultivating a well-cultured future generation.
Children should be taught not to cheat, not to steal, not to adulterate, and to use correct weights and measures. They must be kept away from alcohol, meat, and other harmful practices. They should also be educated about evils from time to time.
Instilling spiritual values in children can prevent them from developing corrupt tendencies and help them become great individuals.