|The Jaina Path Of Ahimsa|| DR. VILAS SANGAVE AHIMSA-VRATA i.e.,
THE VOW OF "AHIMSA" Since the very idea of Himsa, i.e., injury
to sentient beings, in any form has been considered quite
abominable and has been condemned in strongest possible terms in
Jaina philosophy, the ethical code laid down for the Jainas has
given maximum importance to the observance of the Ahimsa-Vrata,
i.e., the vow of Ahimsa, which puts into practice the principle
of avoidance of Himsa in actual life. Naturally, Jainism has
assigned the first position to the vow of Ahimsa among the five
main vows prescribed for continuous observance by its followers.
It is, therefore, necessary to see and understand the various
aspects and implications of the Jaina vow of Ahimsa. Ahimsa
Maharvrata : Ahimsa, i.e., avoidance of Himsa, has been treated
as the first of the five Mahavratas, i.e., great vows,
prescribed by Jaina religion and this Ahimsa Mahavrata has been
defined in `Ratnakaranda-sravakachara' in following terms :-
that is, "abstaining from