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HIMSA
DEGRADES SOUL
Slaying of
living being entails predisposition towards dissension and acrimony,
the worst form of human conduct. Jaina
prohibition of the destruction of animal
life has far reaching consequence. That flesh eating habit engenders
irascibility, irritation and uncommon excitement
is now accepted by the western intelligentsia.
Thus, an acute observer frankly confesses that excessive
intake of animal food is the cause of
aggressiveness and ill
temper.
Hence to interdict flesh
eating habit as the
physiological basic of ill will and unrighteous
conduct would be just and in keeping with
harmonious benevolent living. Non- injury
beings is quite natural to hearts
attuned with spiritual meditation; it is a progressive
step and an incentive towards eternal
life. So far as the monk is concerned the entire make and entity
of him should be morally pure and internally
disciplined without being mechanically a
functional constituent. Jaina code of
morality ensures this amicable
relation by enjoining
austerity in deed as well as in spirit. The
appropriate preparation for it commences
from the start when monks are disallowed to posses anything beyond
bare necessities of life, instead to cultivate love of wisdom.
Indian heart by its very nature and tradition
ordinarily is tender and pliable, calm and sodden. If sincerity
and fervor are added to it, a genuine
desire for transcending material
indulgence which is the source of sorrow and suffering is generated.
The more homely and harmonious, sympathetically serene a man
becomes the more his body is likely to transform
into a citadel of beatitude and bliss. Jaina approach is
mystic and humane. Mystic in the sense that it calls for
renunciation and through it freedom purity and joy Humane, as there
is nothing of mortifying struggle for emancipation obtaining
in other systems of practical philosophy.
Evidently, rules of ascetic ideal
have been enjoined in such an agreeable manner as to
eliminate all traces of insipidity and languor, and vitalize with
comely materials and means free from affectation.
Ascetic practices in Jainism are more refined and humane that
several renowned mystics of the west, say of Suso, who by imitating
the sufferings of Christ would undergo self-willed ghastly physical
torture.
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