Jain Darshoner Aloke Ahinsar Swarup Ghatan

Among the religions of the world Jainism is the only religion which has accorded utmost importance to ahis from both the points of view-theoretical and practical.The Jaina principle of ahis not only forms the basis of Jaina Philosophy but also serves as the foundation on which its entire ethical code has been developed.It is one of the cardinal virtues and an important tenet of Jainism.Ahis means not merely to cause any pain or injury to any other being in any possible way.The Jaina Philosophers understand it in an extensive way.For them it widely means not to hurt any living creature by thought, speech and deed.Ahis is the first and foremost vow among the five vows of Jainism, because other vows like satya, asteya are meant for safeguarding the vow of ahis.In Jainism, both ascetics and householders have to follow this vow.In this paper, we shall try to explicate the nature and significance of the principle of ahis which leads to the path of liberation.