अहिंसा : व्यावहारिक अनिवार्यता

Summary

The text discusses Mahavir's teachings on right knowledge, right perception, and right conduct, emphasizing their relevance today. It argues that violence and attachment reduce lifespan and increase disease, suggesting a scientific approach could make these ideas more acceptable. The author critiques the traditional view of non-violence as a religious ideal, urging it be seen as a practical necessity. Using the metaphor of a bird nesting in a cannon's mouth, the text highlights humanity's precarious situation. It traces the evolution of violence from nails to atomic bombs, questioning if non-violence can develop similar technological strategies. The author suggests ecology as a starting point for such a non-violent technology, citing examples like China's sparrow eradication causing famine and Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" on DDT's ecological impact. Scientific reasons for protecting trees, like nitrogen cycles and soil conservation, are presented as more effective than religious arguments. The text notes that bans on tiger hunting stem from ecological balance, not just compassion, and that even ants in Siberia were found crucial for grass production. It warns against exploiting natural resources like capital, quoting Darlington on technology's role in dimming humanity's future. The author connects non-violence to non-attachment, noting that anger and jealousy harm the individual physically, as supported by medical insights. Mahavir's teachings are presented as scientifically valid for health and well-being. The text concludes that non-violence must be evaluated for survival and happiness, not just as sin or virtue, and that understanding self-interest aligns with altruism, fostering love and equality as advocated by Gandhi.