Page 115 - Courage Redifined

Who other than Vitaraga Sarvagya can show such a wonderful
religion ? After we have acquired this religion, what is the
point of still living a life complete with the violence of living
creatures ? Now if you desire salvation, then leaving even the
smallest possible violence is absolutely incredible.

“A good breeze is passing by.” This thought is also considered
a sin, why so ?

Non-violence of minute living beings is a unique characteristic
of Jainism. For e.g. if a cool breeze passed in the hot days
of summer, you are not supposed to think that, “Good, this
breeze passed by.” Why ? Because such a thinking means that
you approve the violence of Vayukaya (living beings of air).
When will you feel that the breeze passing is good ? Only
when the breeze touches your body. Hence the root of this
thought is the joy of the cool breeze touching your body. But
the living beings of wind (Vayu) are so minute and delicate
that they die as soon as they bang against our body. Hence
the joy of the cool breeze means joy of the death of these
delicate living beings. This is the approval of the violence
of innumerable Vayukaya living beings which is a sinful act.
Nowsitback and think, which religion in the world will call
this thought to be a sinful act ? They maycall temptations
to sensual desires to be a sin but who will call such minute
violence to be a sin ? “How tasty and hot this tea is! ”, if
the mind gets delighted in such a manner, it binds the sin
of appreciation of the violence of the minute Agnikaya (fire)
living beings. Which religion other than Jainism calls this a
sin ?

Why does Jainism consider Charitra (ascetic life) to be a
sharp sword’s edge ?

In the strict conduct of Charitra life, from the very first day,
The Depth of Jainism 105