Ahimsa: Encyclopedia II - Ahimsa - Ahimsa in Jainism

Ahimsa - Ahimsa in Jainism

In Jainism, the ahimsa-vrata, or vow of ahimsa, is the first of the five mahavratas, or great vows. All animal life, and most plant life, is considered sentient. Any action endangering such life, including agriculture, violence, animal sacrifice, drinking liquor, eating honey, potatoes or certain fruits, and eating at night, is forbidden. Some Jains wear a cloth over their mouths to avoid inhaling airborne life forms.

The ethical code of Jainism is taken very seriously. Summarized in the Five Vows, they are followed by both lay people and monastics. These are:

1. non-injury (ahimsa)
2. non-lying (satya)
3. non-stealing (asteya)
4. non-possession (aparigrah)
5. chastity (brahmcharya)

The Jain conception of ahimsa involves three times three—the three actions (karanas) of himsa in the three modes (yogas)—observances:

Neither by action or by speech or by thought:

1. do injury oneself (krita)
2. cause injury to be done by others (karita)
3. approve injury done by others (anumata, mananat, or anumodana)

Ahimsa - External links and references in Jainism

• Jainworld.com Ahimsa index

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Ahimsa in Jainism", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki