Acharya Tulsi
Today is a programme of celebrating non-violence day. Its purpose is not merely to gather around for a couple of hours and talk on non- violence at length. Rather on the contrary its sole purpose is to consolidate the feeling of non-violence. To gather here is just a way to achieving the ideal. The way so many people have gathered around here to get inspired by the thought of non-violence, in as much the same way with the same simplicity hundreds and thousands of people would gather around to get the inspiration of non-violence and through it they will take a vow of observing non-violence for a day. I believe that if they truly get the taste of non-violence then this program would go ahead on its own accord. They would try to be non-violent for every moment of their life. This is the sole purpose behind celebrating this day of non-violence.
This program is celebrated all across the country under ‘Anubrat’; movement. Anubrat’s aim is to ignite the fire of good conduct in each and every one. A life of good conduct and non-violence gives happiness beyond limit so people can apply it for a day and it really brings some happiness then incorporates it in your life.
Heaven and Hell are Both Located in the Same World
The word non-violence is equally dear to all. For non-violent people if it is dear then there is no big deal in it but it-is equally dear to even violent people. It is so because even a violent man would not like to be called ‘violent’. A person telling lies some fifty times a day also feels ashamed to be called a liar. In a similar way the most violent person would also like to be called non-violent. This is however a different issue whether he loves it in reality or simply would like it formally. It is seen quite often that a word is not taken at a face value but the essence of the word is given much importance. What sincerity is caused by the words of non-violence if the same sincerity is practiced in the practical life? Then there is no reason that heaven would not descend on the same earth. Whether someone believes in the existence of heaven and hell is irrelevant but the words itself indicate towards heavenly bliss and hellish life. If someone as s me where heaven and hell are? I would like to say they both are located on earth. People are already leading a life of hellish existence. I would like to ask a question if jealousy, resentment, low self-esteem and so on are not elements of hellish life then what they are.
This Very Earth can Become Heaven
I often keep on saying why people go and watch cinema? It is so because they get to see new scenes. But now-a-days almost in every house a movie is going on. ‘पुत्र-पिताकहिंचढेअदालत, पति-पत्नीकीभीयहहालत'. The father and son, husband and wife are fighting a law suit these days. There is hardly a son who respects his mother. The possibility is many people would be found who would abuse their mothers. The mother, whom according to scriptures 'देवयंगुरुजणणी' has been held in high esteem, to insult her with abusive words is not a new scene or what?
Even between students and teachers there is no relation of humanity or innocence. There is no mutual belief between the employer and the employee. In every place such scenes are often witnessed. Most of the people are bearing a lot of pain deep inside. Although no one likes this kind of situation in life as everyone’s soul writhes in agony. I would like to say something regarding this context and that is—if you want heavenly bliss in your life then bring some non-violence elements in your life. I can assure you it has no special difficulty in it. The question is of changing one’s feelings. If the feelings are changed and balanced then automatically this very earth would tum into a heaven.
Three Factors of Non-Violence
Lord has said—‘नहणेपाणिणोपाणे, भयवेराओउवरए'—a non-violent person is one who never takes life of any living creature. By living creature only human beings are not meant, whoever carries life is a living creature. One who doesn’t kill then he is non-violent in the true sense of the term. The second sign of being non-violent is he is above all fear. If he is not fearless then what kind of a non- violent person he is. If someone is afraid of others and locks himself in his own house, and claims that he doesn’t kill anyone, then he cannot be regarded as a true non-violent person; whom could this kind of a person kill? He is himself dead already. The third sign of being non-violent is he is above all jealousies or enmity. One who keeps enmity with others can never be non-violent. This point needs to be understood here and that is not to kill someone is not merely non-violence. The full definition of non-violence is—not hurting others, fearlessness and non-enmity. Within these three factors the entire essence of non-violence is incorporated. The way Lord bestowed the entire philosophy of life Gautam—creation, preservation and destruction—similarly these three factors carry the entire description of non-violence.
Practical Application of Non-Violence
If a person fails to accept non-violence in its entirety at least he can avoid taking innocent lives. In one’s self-defence if a creature is killed, this is a different matter, but at least one may refrain from being an assassin taking someone’s life. One may avoid killing some innocent living creatures moving around. It can be argued upon that this is alright but while cultivating lands many tiny lives get crushed under the plough/harrow. What harm have they caused? Even without committing a crime they die. It is absolutely alright. If you cannot save yourself completely from the influence of violence, then at least do not kill anyone intentionally.
The second form of non-violence is fearlessness. Fear is the other synonym of violence. Leaving fearlessness, non-violence cannot be defined.
The third form of non-violence is non-enmity or friendship. There are some people who do not kill or take someone’s life in the literal sense of the term, but the same people cannot stand others progress. The people who are business tycoons, they hardly ever raise sword against anyone but raising one’s pen is no less than the powers of a sword. Sucking blood of poor people, is it not a kind of violence? To kill someone merely is not violence but it includes mind, body and speech to cause hurt or ill-will with any three of the above mentioned elements also cause violence. Usually people call those people butchers who kill animals but in Jaina definition whoever gets influenced by anger is a butcher. Not merely by the virtue of being born in a certain community of butchers one becomes a butcher but the activities make oneself one.
An analogy of Gautam Buddha’s life is drawn. At some point of time a thief was given death sentence by the king for the crime of theft. To kill the thief an executioner was summoned. His name was Utpal. He arrived. He refused to kill the thief. He was being tried to get convinced and go-ahead with his job. At last the king commanded—‘To go against the order of a king is a crime so he must be executed.’ After that his/younger brother was summoned. He also refused to kill. The king sentenced him to death as well.Then the other younger brother was called, he also repeated the same action. Then one more brother was called, he also followed his elder brothers steps. This way five brothers were called but all five of them refused to commit such a gruesome act.
Then at last the last and the youngest brother was called. On refusing to commit the act he was also given the death sentence. At this time their old mother arrived. She folded her hands and pleaded before the king, ‘Rajan (your majesty)! Don’t order him death sentence.’ The king was even more surprised. He asked-—-‘You don’t seem to have grieved over the death sentence of the other five sons and you are so much affected over your sixth son’s death sentence?’ She said those five sons of mine had deeply initialized the preaching of Tathagata. I would not be grieved so much over their death but the sixth son is very young and quite immature as well. Tathagata’s words of wisdom had not been able to take deep roots properly in his being so, as a matter of fact him while dying may die with grudges, thug making himself impure, degenerating his soul. This is the reason why I plea before you to have mercy on his life.’ On hearing all this king got absolutely peaceful and lost all his anger. He said to the old woman, ‘Mata (mother)! You have opened my eyes. Tell me quickly where Tathagata (Buddha) is?’ She said, ‘I don’t exactly know where Tathagata lives. But I can tell you this much that he comes to ask for alms at my place every day. At that point of time only he showered us with his nectar filled words of wisdom.’ The king got the light of guidance. He also took refuge at Tathagata’s feet and drew the breath of tranquillity flowing spontaneously.
This incident may have made you understood that no one is born as a butcher or killer but one’s actions make oneself a butcher. Even in Mahabharata it is quoted-
सर्वजातिषुचाण्डाला:,सर्वजातिषुब्राह्मणा: |
ब्राह्मणेष्वपिचाण्डाला:,चाण्डालेष्वपिब्राह्मणा:||A person would belong to a particular community according to one’s own karmas (action). The word ‘Chandal’ (killer) means one who is cruel/ruthless. He may be born in any community.
Competition must be in Behaviour
As long as the world doesn’t follow the path of non-violence, it is almost impossible to establish world peace. What do I say about it some millions of people are reverberating the same tune? Resentment cannot put an end to resentment. Weapons cannot erase weapons. Competition cannot stop competition in as much the same way weapons cannot stop the utilization of weapons. It would be far better if the competition takes place in establishing a strong character.
Once the king of Kashi and the king of Kaushal came face to face in a narrow lane. The chariot riders said to each other, ‘Remove your chariot’. The king of Kaushal is present in my chariot; the king of Kashi is present in my chariot. But no one seemed to be inferior. No one was willing to move back. At last they got an idea. Whoever is greater can move ahead. But the problem was still not resolved. They both proved greater in terms of stature as well as the magnitude of their kingdom. They both belonged to the age group of thirty and they both owned some three hundred lands. At last the chariot rider of the king of Kaushal said, ‘My chariot would go first because my king is a deft ruler. He behaves justly with a good person and behaves harshly with a bad person.’
‘No, my chariot would go ahead first, my king behaves politely with a good person and even with a bad person his behaviour is equally polite’. The chariot rider of the king of Kashi said with determination. He finally won the bet. His chariot moved ahead first. This competition in terms of behaviour is truly admiring.
If one’s greatness is valued in terms of behaviour what better result it may yield! But the question arises how it could be made possible.
The only way is that the powerful people must start it from themselves. If they change the yardstick of measuring greatness from money and power and establish it in terms of character then the environment of creating strong character in nation would be established on its own accord. In this context I would like to address all the ministers of our nation that they change the direction of their life and assume the role of a guide for our nation. If the traders and businessmen are told to be honest then they say, ‘Who spares us? On one hand heavy tax is imposed upon us and on the other we have to bribe the men of position. We keep on moving for license and continue doing it as long as their pockets are not full with money. We do not want to be dishonest but the government compels us to be dishonest.’ In this kind of situation it is important for the ministers that they make their life organized in such a manner that others also get a lesson from them. How many would we explain one by one? After all the activities of the people of higher hierarchy would influence the people of lower hierarchy. So the transformation must begin from the people of higher authority.
Subject worth Worrying
A letter has arrived from Delhi. A brother has written, ‘On one hand no-violence day is celebrated in the nation, and on the other our government is indulging in violence. Butcher houses are being constructed at different places. The violence that used to take place before independence now it has become increasingly high. It has become extremely important to find a solution now. You know very well that it is not in my hand to stop violence completely. I may state clearly that in religious countries violence should not be encouraged this way. On one hand the people of west are becoming more interested in vegetarian food and on the other we Indians are getting more interested in consuming meat, believing it contains more vitamins and proteins. This is truly a matter of worry.
At this point of time it has become necessary for all the people to think if they have devotion for violence or non-violence. If they have belief in violence then the matter ends here. If they have devotion for non-violence then they must take a strong resolution that they would never lay, never resort to theft and would not deceive themselves. For the devotees of non-violence it is a rare opportunity to take an active role in presenting the power of non-violence before the world. In creating world peace it would be a very significant step.
