Mahavir Aur Unki Ahimsa

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mahavir aur Unki Ahimsa" (Mahavir and His Non-Violence) by Prem Radio and Electric Mart, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose: The book aims to present the philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence) as taught by Lord Mahavir, emphasizing its scientific and logical basis, especially for contemporary youth. It seeks to counter the increasing trend of non-vegetarianism and highlight the connection between violence and meat consumption.

Key Themes and Content:

• Lord Mahavir's Life and Teachings:

  • Born around 500 BCE in Bihar, India, to King Siddharth and Queen Trishala.
  • From childhood, he was intelligent and contemplative, not drawn to worldly pleasures.
  • Distressed by the suffering of living beings, he renounced worldly life at the age of 30.
  • After 12 years of severe penance and deep meditation, he attained complete knowledge (Keval Gyan) at age 42.
  • For 30 years, he spread his knowledge, explaining the causes of suffering and the path to true, eternal happiness.
  • He attained liberation (Nirvana) at the age of 72.
  • The book marks the 2500th Nirvana anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

• The Root Cause of Suffering and its Removal:

  • Lord Mahavir identified ignorance (avidya) as the root cause of suffering.
  • This ignorance leads to attachment to the physical body, mistaking its temporary pleasures and pains as real.
  • This attachment fuels desires, leading to attachment to beings that provide pleasure and aversion to those causing pain.
  • These emotions (attachment and aversion) lead to the accumulation of karma, resulting in continuous suffering.
  • The real self is the soul (Atma), not the body. Focusing on the soul's welfare, rather than the body's transient pleasures, is the path to liberation.
  • Suffering is caused by one's own past actions (karma), not by other beings, who are merely instruments.
  • Accepting both pleasure and pain with equanimity (samata-bhav) helps in exhausting past karma and preventing new karma from accumulating.

• Ahimsa (Non-Violence) as the Supreme Principle:

  • Definition: Ahimsa is defined as not causing pain to any living being, directly or indirectly, through one's mind, speech, or actions, knowingly or unknowingly, and performing daily duties with utmost caution in that spirit.
  • Violence (Hinsa) is the root of all suffering: All beings desire happiness and wish to avoid pain. Actions that cause harm to others lead to negative karma, which in turn brings suffering.
  • Types of Violence:
    • Sankalpi Hinsa: Intentional violence, planned and executed, such as killing for meat, sacrifices, hunting, revenge, theft, harsh speech, etc. This is always to be renounced.
    • Virodhi Hinsa: Violence that occurs unintentionally while defending oneself, family, or property from an aggressor. The intention must be self-defense, not revenge.
    • Arambhi Hinsa: Unavoidable violence that occurs in daily life activities like cleaning, cooking, bathing, etc. This can be minimized by caution and reducing needs.
    • Udyogi Hinsa: Violence associated with one's profession or livelihood. Certain professions inherently involve more violence than others.
  • The true essence of Ahimsa lies in the intention (Bhava Hinsa): Even a thought of harming another is considered violence. True Ahimsa requires purity of thought.
  • Ahimsa is for all living beings: Not just humans, but animals, birds, insects, and even plants possess life and consciousness and deserve compassion.
  • Non-violence is not cowardice: It is a strength that requires courage and equanimity, especially in the face of injustice. True non-violence involves resisting wrong without malice.

• Aparigraha (Non-possession/Limited Possessions):

  • To strengthen the practice of Ahimsa and compassion, Lord Mahavir advocated limiting one's possessions.
  • Unlimited desires lead to unethical actions, conflict, and suffering.
  • By controlling desires and limiting needs, one can dedicate more time and resources to helping others and spiritual progress.
  • This principle addresses social inequality and conflict by promoting equitable distribution of resources.

• Sanyam (Self-control):

  • Control over senses (mind, speech, ears, eyes, nose, tongue) is crucial.
  • Giving in to sensory desires leads to moral degradation and becomes a cause of suffering.
  • Practicing austerity (Tapa) helps in controlling the body and mind and enduring difficult situations.

• Rebirth (Punarjanma):

  • The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is governed by karma.
  • One's current situation is a result of past actions, and future circumstances depend on present actions.
  • This principle explains the inequalities and suffering seen in the world.

• Liberation (Moksha):

  • Liberation from the cycle of birth and death is possible for all beings.
  • It is achieved by destroying karma through self-effort (purushartha) – adherence to Ahimsa, Sanyam, Tapa, etc.
  • A liberated soul enjoys eternal, intrinsic bliss.

• Lord Mahavir's Uniqueness and Contribution:

  • Path to True Happiness for All: He showed a path to eternal bliss accessible to everyone, regardless of caste or species. His assemblies (Samavasharan) were open to all beings, where even animals found peace.
  • Emphasis on Conduct over Ritual/Appearance: True spiritual attainment is based on actions (karma), not just outward appearances or rituals.
  • An Ideal Leader: He did not use political power to enforce his teachings but led by example, transforming hearts through his pure conduct.
  • Silence Until Enlightenment: He remained silent until he attained perfect knowledge, believing one should only preach what they have realized themselves.
  • Emphasis on Reason and Experience: He encouraged people to verify his teachings through their own contemplation and experience, rejecting blind faith.
  • Supreme Ascetic: He renounced all possessions, including clothes, living as a Digambar (sky-clad) monk, setting an example of ultimate detachment.
  • Liberator from Dependence: He freed people from dependence on deities or rituals for well-being, emphasizing self-reliance through spiritual effort.
  • Champion of Gender Equality: He recognized the spiritual equality of women, granting them full freedom to pursue liberation.
  • The Great Synthesizer: He promoted the understanding of truth from multiple perspectives, advocating for tolerance and avoiding dogmatism.
  • Universality and Timelessness: His principles are applicable to all times, places, and people.
  • Omniscience (Sarvagyata): The book defends Mahavir's omniscience, arguing that it's a state of perfected consciousness, attainable by removing karmic veils, and that his teachings are being corroborated by modern science.
  • Not an Escapist: He faced life's realities and the suffering of the world, seeking solutions rather than running away from them.

• Jainism's Antiquity:

  • The book argues that Jainism is an ancient religion, predating Lord Mahavir, with its founder being the first Tirthankar, Rishabhdev, who lived billions of years ago.
  • Lord Mahavir revived and re-established this ancient tradition.
  • Evidence for Jainism's antiquity is cited from Vedic scriptures (Rigveda, Yajurveda) and Puranas, mentioning Tirthankars like Rishabhdev, Suparshvanath, and Neminath.
  • Archaeological findings from Mohenjo-daro are also mentioned as evidence.
  • The book claims Jain missionaries spread the teachings of Ahimsa to various foreign lands in ancient times.

• Detailed Discussion on Ahimsa and Violence:

  • The book meticulously breaks down the concept of Ahimsa and its opposite, Hinsa (violence).
  • It categorizes violence into types and elaborates on various forms of violence, extending beyond physical harm to include mental cruelty, deceit, exploitation, and actions that indirectly cause suffering.
  • It discusses the role of intention in defining violence.
  • It strongly advocates for a vegetarian diet, elaborating on the ethical and health implications of meat consumption.
  • It addresses common arguments against strict vegetarianism and absolute non-violence, providing Jain philosophical responses.
  • It critiques practices like night-eating, alcohol consumption, smoking, and the use of certain products derived from animal harm.
  • It emphasizes the importance of purity in food, conduct, and thought for maintaining Ahimsa.

• Critique of Religious Practices and Social Norms:

  • The book criticizes the practice of animal and human sacrifice in the name of religion during Lord Mahavir's time and even in later periods.
  • It argues that true religious devotion lies in compassion and non-violence, not in bloody rituals.
  • It debunks the idea that such sacrifices lead to spiritual merit or the fulfillment of desires.
  • It discusses the misuse of religious texts through misinterpretation of words with multiple meanings.

• The True Meaning of Sacrifice and Devotion:

  • The book clarifies that true sacrifice (Bali/Kurbaani) means sacrificing negative qualities like greed, anger, lust, and ego, not taking the life of innocent beings.

• Night-Eating and Health:

  • It discourages night-eating from health and Ahimsa perspectives, citing scientific reasons and the natural rhythms of the body.

• Critique of Modern Medicine and Reliance on Drugs:

  • It questions the over-reliance on allopathic medicine for minor ailments, suggesting natural remedies and lifestyle changes are more effective and less harmful in the long run.

• The Importance of Human Birth:

  • It emphasizes the preciousness of human birth as the only opportunity to attain spiritual liberation and attain true happiness.

• Jain Symbolism:

  • The book explains the meaning of the Jain symbol, including the three dots (Triratna), the swastika (four states of existence), the crescent moon ( Siddha Shila), and the central dot (liberated soul), all signifying the path to Moksha through Ahimsa.

Publisher's Note: The publishers express their pleasure in releasing the third edition during the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsav of Lord Mahavir, acknowledging the positive reception of previous editions and the addition of new sections to make it more useful. They hope the book inspires readers to understand and follow Lord Mahavir's teachings, especially Ahimsa.

In essence, "Mahavir aur Unki Ahimsa" is a detailed exposition of Lord Mahavir's core philosophy, with a strong focus on Ahimsa, its practical application in daily life, its scientific validity, and its historical context, aiming to promote a virtuous and compassionate way of living.