Amanda/ Middle East / Ahimsa

[Guest guest]

 

mumble cat [mumblecat]

 

Harsha,

 

In a former post, I remember you mentioned that there is a second part of

the principle of non-harming, and that is, if I remember it correctly, the

principle of seeing the neutral ground in any conflict, that both parties

may be correct to some extent.

 

I find this principle, and of course, also the first principle, very

interesting.

With many other things, these principles are easy to understand but very

difficult to carry out in practice.

 

I wonder if you would explain the principles of ahimsa, both the main and

the "second" principle more closely for us ?

 

 

Love,

 

Amanda.

 

Hello Amanda. Thanks for raising the question.

 

The cardinal principle in Jainism is Ahimsa or Nonviolence. In practical

terms, this implies being aware and through awareness minimizing harm to

living beings. Traditionally Jains do not enter the military or related

professions and are usually businessmen or in education. Jain scriptures say

that one should walk away from a fight and avoid conflict if at all

possible. Laymen are obviously expected to defend themselves and their

families if under attack. The Jain monks take the absolute vow of

non-harming. The second principle is Anekantvada which implies that multiple

perspectives which appear to be in conflict may be true from the different

locations (in the time and space and mental reality) of the perceiver.

Ahimsa according to Jainism leads to the acceptance that Reality is

multidimensional and therefore perceptions in relativity can be expected to

differ widely and this is perfectly normal. With this understanding, there

is a possibility of appreciating many diverse and conflicting points of view

in an honest way. Helpful for Diplomats.

 

Love to all

Harsha