Ahimsa Digdarshan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ahimsa Digdarshan" by Acharya Vijaydharmasuri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Ahimsa Digdarshan (अहिंसादिग्दर्शन) Author: Acharya Shrivijaydharmsuri (जैनाचार्य श्रीविजयधर्मसूरि) Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala (यशोविजय जैन-ग्रंथमाला), Bhavnagar.

Overview:

"Ahimsa Digdarshan" is a treatise by Jain Acharya Shrivijaydharmsuri, dedicated to the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence). The book argues passionately for vegetarianism and the abandonment of meat consumption, drawing upon Jain philosophy, as well as scriptural references from Hinduism and general ethical reasoning. The author's primary motivation is to address the prevalent practice of meat-eating among people, including those who claim to follow dharma, driven by either religious custom or sensual pleasure.

Key Themes and Arguments:

The Paramountcy of Ahimsa: The central thesis of the book is that "Ahimsa Paramo Dharmaḥ" (Ahimsa is the supreme dharma). The author emphasizes that all beings desire to live and fear death, making the act of causing harm to any creature a grave sin.
Critique of Meat Consumption:
- Moral and Ethical Imperative: The book vehemently condemns meat-eating, highlighting it as a practice born from ignorance, greed for the tongue, and cruelty. It argues that even good deeds are tainted by the sin of meat consumption, akin to adding a drop of poison to food.
- Religious Hypocrisy: The author criticizes those who perform religious rituals or claim to follow dharma while engaging in meat-eating, deeming it hypocrisy. He argues that pure religious practices like prayer and meditation are incompatible with consuming meat, which is inherently impure.
- Unpleasant Physical Consequences: Meat-eaters are described as emanating foul odors, with their sweat being pungent. The difficulty in cleaning cooking utensils and the mouth after consuming meat is also pointed out. The author cites sources like the Varaha Purana, which considers meat-eaters as offenders.
- Impact on Character: Meat consumption is linked to increased cruelty, lack of compassion, and a tendency towards aggression, even in domestic disputes. The author argues that true valor and strength come from a pure diet and a peaceful mind, not from consuming flesh.
The Natural State of Humans:
- Dietary Suitability: The book asserts that humans are naturally frugivores and graminivores. It points to differences in the teeth, digestive systems, and drinking habits (mouth vs. tongue) between humans and carnivorous animals, as well as the fact that humans drink water with their mouths, unlike most animals that use their tongues.
- Intellectual and Spiritual Growth: The author suggests that a vegetarian diet (specifically rice and vegetables) promotes intelligence and clarity of thought, while meat consumption pollutes the mind and increases physical heat and breathlessness, hindering intellectual and spiritual progress.
Scriptural Justification (Beyond Jainism):
- Hindu Scriptures: The author extensively quotes from revered Hindu texts such as the Mahabharata, Manusmriti, and Gita to support the principle of Ahimsa and the prohibition of meat. He cites verses that describe the karmic consequences of violence and the merits of abstaining from meat, even equating the merit of abstaining from meat with performing numerous Ashwamedha sacrifices.
- Critique of Misinterpretations: The text addresses specific instances where scriptures are misinterpreted to justify meat-eating, particularly in rituals like sacrifices and Shraddha ceremonies. The author argues that the "Aj" mentioned in some rituals refers to grains and not animals, and that any justification of meat consumption in such contexts is a corrupt interpretation by self-serving individuals.
Societal and Individual Benefits of Ahimsa/Vegetarianism:
- Societal Harmony: The book suggests that a society that practices Ahimsa will be more peaceful and prosperous.
- Personal Purity: Abstaining from meat contributes to personal purity, both physically and mentally.
- Spiritual Progress: Ahimsa is presented as the foundation for all other virtues like truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and detachment. It is the pathway to spiritual liberation.
The Unjustifiability of Violence in Any Form:
- Consequences of Killing: The author stresses that all participants in the act of violence, from the instigator to the consumer, are culpable.
- The Fallacy of "Peaceful" Violence: Even acts like caging birds are condemned. The author argues that the suffering caused by confinement and the disruption of natural life is also a form of violence.
- Karma and Rebirth: The book implicitly (and explicitly through scriptural quotes) relies on the principle of karma, where actions have consequences that extend beyond this life. Violence leads to suffering in future births.
Critique of Practices Justifying Violence:
- Ritualistic Meat-Eating: The text strongly refutes the idea that meat consumed in religious rituals is permissible. The author uses logical arguments and scriptural interpretations to debunk this claim.
- Modern Justifications: The author addresses the misguided notion that violence is necessary for national defense or that certain social practices (like those of specific communities or castes mentioned) justify meat-eating.
- Misinterpreted "Tantric" Practices: The book clarifies that practices often associated with Tantra that involve meat and alcohol are distortions by "demonic" forces, not true spiritual paths.
The Superiority of Abhayadaan (Gift of Fearlessness): The book elevates the act of granting fearlessness to all beings as the highest form of charity, superior to material donations. This reinforces the idea that protecting life and ensuring the safety of all creatures is the ultimate dharma.
Western Perspectives (Inclusion): The latter part of the provided text includes a collection of views from Western scholars and doctors on the benefits of vegetarianism, covering health, economics, societal advancement, and character development. This demonstrates that the principle of Ahimsa and vegetarianism is recognized and supported by scientific and ethical reasoning across cultures.

Conclusion:

"Ahimsa Digdarshan" is a comprehensive and forceful argument for the practice of Ahimsa, specifically advocating for a strict vegetarian lifestyle. Acharya Vijaydharmasuri meticulously builds his case by appealing to innate moral understanding, the suffering of sentient beings, and the pronouncements of various religious scriptures, particularly within the Indian tradition. The book serves as a guide and a call to action for individuals to abandon meat consumption and embrace a life of compassion and non-violence, leading to individual well-being and spiritual upliftment.